Hausler a star on the rise
ST ALBANS Breakwater handed top-placed Newcomb & District its second-straight defeat in an upset 42-run win at Grinter Reserve.
Supersaints coach Chris Hester said his side treated the match as a mini-final – which paid dividends – moving his side to within six points of the table-topping Dinos.
“It was really important. We spoke about it before the game,” Hester said.
“After losing the last two games before Christmas, every game from now is like a mini-final.
“Winning the toss and batting and getting 250 on the board was a great way to come out and show everyone we’re the real deal and we’re here to win.”
Hester top-scored with 67 batting at number three, first adding 67 runs with boundary-hitting opener Adam Hausler (54) and then a partnership of 93 with Tom Burke (51).
Skipper Zac Smith (32 not out off 13 balls) added some late impetus to get St Albans over the 250 mark, hitting three boundaries and two sixes, as the Supersaints made 5-253 off their 50 overs.
Hester reserved special praise for Hausler, who struck his thirdstraight half-century before following it up with 1-16 off seven overs to restrict the Dinos.
“He can come out and hit it anywhere,” Hester said.
“He’s got a unique style and he’s starting to show he’s a quality bat.
“He can take the game out of the other teams’ hands so quickly, and sooner or later he’s going to get a really big one, I think.”
Jackson Burke (64) and Andrew Webb (41) gave Newcomb & District some brief hope in the run chase, but the Supersaints took wickets at regular intervals to stay ahead of the game.
Hester (3-55) was influential, and Alex Billington (4-8) cleaned up the tail as the Dinos were all out for 211.
“They got a good partnership with Andrew Webb and Jackson Burke, but they were always looking at six an over and you can put your sweepers out and give them ones,” Hester said.
“Adam Hausler bowled really well at the start, and then Zac Smith (1-26) came on and got the big wicket of Matt Harrison (36).
“It was then I felt a bit more comfortable – he’s a gun bat.”