It may be only round eight, but Jacana has already exceeded last season’s results in Victorian Turf Cricket’s North B1 competition.
Jacana won five matches last season, which is where it started the match against Moonee Valley on Saturday.
And by the end of the day, a dominant display with the ball ensured Jacana had taken first innings points and passed last season’s total of victories.
Playing coach Praneeth Jayasundera was the main destroyer, taking 5-17 as Moonee Valley was skittled for 108 on a crumbling batting surface.
Jacana’s chase wasn’t without concern, as it got off to the worst possible start losing two wickets before scoring.
But Jayasundera settled his side with 32 as the Jaguars made 130 in reply. Moonee Valley is 1-37 at stumps in its second innings.
Jayasundera, in his first season as coach, said he had made a real focus of training in the off-season.
“We’re in a great position so far,” he said.
“We have worked hard. I’ve been doing the coaching part and looking to improve everyone’s bowling and batting skills.
“I can see weaknesses in their games and I give them things on how to fix it. We’re aiming to win the championship.”
Jayasundera said everyone was playing their roles well.
“We’ve focused on the batting as they needed improvement,” he said.
“Casey [Whelan] is getting more runs and Jack Ottaway is taking wickets.
“I didn’t score many runs last season and neither did Telge Peiris. This year we are.
“We want to continue on with this form, which we didn’t do after Christmas last season.”
In senior division, Greenvale Kangaroos have Bentleigh at 2-24 at stumps on day one in reply to the Kangaroos’ 256.
Andrew Le Page, batting at number eight, was top scorer for the Kangaroos with 61 not out.
Tullamarine will resume its chase of Hoppers Crossing’s 8-236 at 0-30.
Modera Perera was the best of the Tulla bowlers with 3-39.
In North division, Westmeadows set a difficult target of 242 for Sunshine Druids, with the Druids to resume at 0-9 on day two.
Craigieburn has already secured first innings points in North A1 against St Andrews Pascoe Vale.
Craigieburn bowled St Andrews Pascoe Vale out for 79 and was 1-103 in reply at stumps.
