General News
13 November, 2020
Hillman, Place rip through Lakers
POMBORNEIT paceman Brad Hillman is hoping his new-ball partner Tom Place can blossom into the spearhead of the Bulls’ attack after the pair combined to retain the Graham Hillman Shield last Saturday.
POMBORNEIT paceman Brad Hillman is hoping his new-ball partner Tom Place can blossom into the spearhead of the Bulls’ attack after the pair combined to retain the Graham Hillman Shield last Saturday.
Place (3/11) and Hillman (3/16) ripped through Camperdown’s top order as the reigning premiers dismissed last year’s grand finalists for a dismal 36 at S.A. Wright Oval.
It was a dominant performance from the Bulls pair, with Place and Hillman laying the foundations for Pomborneit’s nine wicket victory.
Hillman, who has been one of the Bulls mainstays with the ball over the years, said he was quietly excited that Place could lead the club’s attack for years to come, provided he continued to improve his game.
“Tom is learning and absorbing information really well, he just needs to work on his engine and fitness a little bit but in saying that he bowled 10 straight up the hill which was good for him,” he said.
“He’s got a lot of improvement and potential within him, he’s a good height and has decent pace behind him already.
“Hopefully I can keep it nice and tight for him so he can cash in up the other end.”
In the lead-up to the Lakers clash, Hillman revealed the Bulls had spoken about a lean period of form following its round one win over Bookaar.
He was pleased to see his side respond in strong fashion, although he knows there is still room for improvement.
“We were a lot sharper from the word go which was good,” Hillman said.
“Extras were still a few too many, we want to get them below double figures but we bowled and fielded really well. That’s (performance) our starting base now, so we know we have to improve from there.
“As we have spoken about we haven’t really gotten into our season yet, we have a few troops coming back into the side over the next week or two and will have a full-strength team which will be good.
“It’s just about making sure we do the basics right and having the hunger to go again, which is still there I think, it’s just taking time.”
Pomborneit is now set to face Cobden at Cobden Recreation Reserve.
Hillman said the Bulls were expecting a tough outing, with the Knights producing competitive performances against Mortlake and Heytesbury Rebels despite losing both games.
“They have a very dangerous batting line-up so we really have to be on our game,” he said.
“Obviously the wicket has improved at Cobden over the years so we need to make sure if we bat first we have runs on the board.
“We’ll need a minimum of 150 out there but we’re confident if we do our things well the result will take care of itself.”
Meanwhile, Steven Hill and Stephen Walters shared a stunning partnership in the Bulls division three win over Mortlake.
Hill (137 not out) and Walters (123) both made centuries in a 234 run stand for the third wicket in the Bulls’ 178 run win.