Hills uprooted in style

By Justin Robertson
AS poor as they have been over the past three losses, Endeavour Hills are still only a game and a half away from talking finals. And strangely enough, a win this week would put them back in the hunt for a flag.
The Hills have plunged to last on the VDCA ladder following their 67-run defeat by league leaders Melton at Sydney Pargeter Reserve on Saturday.
What was more concerning for Hills coach John Hayes was their batting debacle that left them at an embarrassing 8/22 in their pursuit of Melton’s 156.
“I don’t know how to explain it. It happened to us during a game last year where the top order got routed through some good bowling and the middle order couldn’t hang in there,” he said.
“We just have to move on really. There’s no point focusing on the negatives, otherwise we’ll start playing negative cricket, but, there’s just no excuses at the end of the day.”
The Hills were eventually put out of their misery for 89 after first gamer Chris Pereira (28) and Shane Peake (30 not out) added some respectability to an otherwise embarrassing scorecard.
Prior to this game, the Hills were the number one ranked wicket-taking team in the competition and kept Melton to a modest target that required less than four an over to chase.
But they capitulated on a track that seemed to harden up in the second innings and was perfect for batting.
“It’s one of those things that is very hard to explain,” Hayes said.
“But, the only thing I know how to fix these things is head down and arse up – we can’t dwell on this.”
Hayes paid tribute to Pereira and his first game feats: 3/30(8) with the ball, 28 with the bat and was involved in two extraordinary run outs.
“For him to come in and do all that was fantastic,” he said.
“Peake was also one of our better performers and got himself into form with both bat and ball, so hopefully that continues.”
Shane Peake took 3/44(9) to go along with his handy knock with the bat.
Hayes sees this week’s match against Williamstown at home as an opportunity to claw their way back from rock bottom.
“We need to get our heads in the right place,” he said.
“A win this week will set the tone for us after the Christmas break so we can then keep moving forward.”