Consistency will be the key for Gladstone Park in the coming weeks as it looks to seal a top four spot in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association’s George Luscombe Shield.
Having unexpectedly lost to Buckley Park before Christmas, Gladstone Park was in no mood to mess around against Clarkefield on Saturday.
After being sent in, Clarkefield was bowled out for 85. Gayath Pandikorala was the best of the bowlers with four wickets.
Gladstone Park quickly chased down the runs, making 2-86.
Wes Telford top scored with 50 not out.
Coach Matthew Nyhus said there was some doubt over whether the game would go ahead, with the large amount of rain predicted.
“It was a pretty comfortable win and a win we needed,” he said.
“It was very hard batting out there, so it was a good toss to win.
“We bowled them out for 85 and everyone played their role.
“In the chase, we were mindful of the weather so we wanted to knock it off pretty quickly.”
Nyhus said it was pleasing to put in all-round good performances in the field and with the ball.
“We need to be more consistent while bowling.
“Our batting has been really good. We made 300 and still lost before Christmas – we were made to pay for no balls against Buckley Park.”
Ashan DeSilva, batting at number three, and Andrew Gavaghan, who has taken over the wicketkeeping duties, have been the side’s big improvers.
Gladstone Park’s quest to play finals will be boosted by the return of one of its biggest names.
“Ryan Achilles will return this week. He has missed the last five games for family reasons,” Nyhus said. “He was a big signing for us in the off-season and opens the batting for us. He will add some experience to the side.”
In the short term, Gladstone Park is looking to make the one-day and T20 finals.
“If we win this week, we will play in the one-day final, which the club will be hosting no matter who is in it,” Nyhus said.
“We play Kealba-Green Gully, who we have a rivalry with. They defeated us in the semi-finals last year.
“Next Tuesday night, we play in the T20 quarter-finals [against Flemington].”
