Lalor Stars’ young guns have been rewarded for their work with the side claiming their first win of the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Money Shield.
It has been a tough start for a different looking Stars line up, but they were able to hold their nerve with the bat on Saturday to beat Bundoora in a two-dayer.
Stars co-coach Wayne Dow said they had taken a different approach this season.
“It was good to get on the board,” he said.
“We lost a few players in the off season, so we’re running with a really young team this year.
“We’re slowly building and working with these guys to give them more experience.”
Dow said a lot of the younger players had been given a taste of first XI cricket last season, but had spent the majority of the season in the second XI.
This season they’re getting a better run of it and starting to show some good signs.
Jackson Hayse, Joseph Perretta and Patrick Taylor were among the young ones in the side for the match against the Bulls.
“It’s a reward for all their hard work,” Dow said. “They’re doing the job so far.”
After a strong bowling performance on day one, led by Josh Nixon who took eight wickets, the Stars had to knuckle down with the bat on Saturday.
The Stars resumed at 3-29 in reply to the Bulls’ 118.
They were able to get the job done, finishing 6-122. Dow said they were thrilled to get the job done.
“They were second on the ladder, so it’s good to knock them off,” he said.
“Had we lost an early wicket, the outcome could have changed. The skipper Mitch Hayse, who is 21, batted really well with his brother [Jackson] for the first 10 overs.”
Jackson Hayse top scored with 46.
Dow said the younger players are starting to show their confidence at this level.
The Stars finish the first part of the season against Bundoora Park this Saturday in a one-dayer.
Dow said it would be another good challenge for them.
“They have been our nemesis,” he said. “We have not been able to get a win against them yet.
“We’re up for the challenge and hopefully it’s a good game.”
In other matches on Saturday, Plenty easily accounted for Bundoora Park, Montmorency fell well short against Lower Eltham, Eltham beat Bundoora United and Laurimar got its first win of the season against Mernda.
In the Barclay Shield, Epping beat Banyule to remain on top of the ladder.
Tara Murray
