Eagles still flying high despite roster change
THE more things change, the more they stay the same.
This is the case at Darwin Eagles, the club with an outstanding winning culture getting its 2019 Premier Grade cricket campaign off to a flying start with a crushing sevenwicket win over the Tigers at Nightcliff Oval yesterday.
Darwin lost a stack of quality first-graders going into the new season, including 2016 Ralph Wiese Medal winner and captain Luke Shelton, and star paceman Luke Zanchetta.
Zanchetta is now focused on coaching at the club which won three-straight titles from 2015 to 2017.
And Eagles paceman Dean YOUNG gelding SavatoXL recorded a convincing victory in the $40,000 Red Centre Technology Partners Chief Ministers Cup (1600m) feature as the three-year-old now looks set to take his talents to the Alice Springs Cup.
From Will Savage’s stable Enniss — playing his first game at the club after crossing over from Waratah — said Zanchetta has provided no shortage of inspiration as the new club mentor.
“He’s really got us focusing on fielding and fitness and it’s showing,” said Enniss, who snared 2-18 yesterday, including the key scalps of Udara Weerasinghe (21) and Ashley Chandrasinghe for a duck.
“It was a great feeling (winning yesterday), and coming to a club with a great winning culture.
“Waratah did nothing wrong by me, but the coaching and people here at Darwin is fantastic.”
Import Trent Keep (52 notout) and Jacob Dickman (40) with young apprentice Lorelle Crow in the saddle, SavatoXL led from start to finish, holding off a final-straight surge from Angela Forster’s seven-yearold Lotion to win by two lengths.
Thoroughbred Racing NT CEO Anrew O’Toole said SavatoXL held his own in excellent fashion against a talented then starred with the bat for the visitors, allowing their side to easily chase down its target of 154 in just the 36th over.
“Trent is a very classy batsman — him and Dicko set the tone for us,” Enniss said.
“Gerry (captain Gerard field of older horses. “He won the Guineas a few weeks ago against his own age group and now he’s taking on the older horses. He was very impressive, he raced in front and they couldn’t run him down,” he told the Sunday Territorian.
“He’s a deserving favourite for the Alice Springs Cup next week.” Legge-Wilkinson who made 22) also looked very good.”
Defending premiers Palmerston were also all class, defeating Tracy Village by seven wickets at home and reaching their 220-run target in the 45th over.
Robbie Vandermeulen top scored with 87 not-out, after spinners Hamish Martin (2-36) and Jayden Lennox (2-35) starred with the ball.
“It was a good hit-out — we had them five down for not many but they made us work hard in their last 30 overs,” Power captain Lennox said.
“Todd Watson (3-31) from New Zealand bowled very well, and Robbie is as solid as they come. “Whenever he bats he does whatever he can for the
O’Toole wasn’t entirely sure if Savage would enter Savatoxl in the Alice Springs Cup, but added he was in prime form to be super competitive.
“He’s got 56½kg which is a good weight for a three-yearold,” O’Toole said.
“Whether or not Will decides to press on to the Cup is his decision entirely, but I’d be surprised if he doesn’t.
“He makes the Cup an interesting race. He’s a horse with a huge amount of ability team. It was a good start to the season for us.”
And Southern Districts were also full of class in their seven-wicket win over Waratah at Freds Pass, reaching their target of 224 in the 43rd over.
Captain Graeme Beghin was outstanding with the bat, smashing 78 off 64 balls, combining with opener Matt Hammond (84 off 96) for a 158-run partnership.
“It was a good start to the season for us at home, and even better that our local players like Matty, Dean Fry (1-33) and Daniel McKell (2-32) stepped up,” Beghin said.
“As an import it’s important to play your role well and I was chuffed to do that.” and he showed that (yesterday).”
“He’s got to go another 400 metres, that’s the big question for him being a three-year old.”
Other winners yesterday were Love Club (trainer Scott Westover, jockey Ray Vigar), Sky Muster (Gary Clarke, Brendon Davis), Mandater (Dick Leech, Sonja Wiseman), That’s Justified (Leanne Gillett, Wayne Kerford), American Star (Russell Bell, Crow) and Zap (Leech, Wiseman).