Tara Murray
Craigieburn is hoping it can quickly find form in the two-day format to keep its hopes of Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division finals alive.
The Eagles are in sixth spot with all but one team still in the mix to make the finals with one and half rounds remaining.
For Eagles coach Chris Laffan it’s a pretty exciting prospect for the club to be in this position.
“With the way the ladder shapes up for us, we’re eyeing off a spot in the four,” he said.
“We’re playing one of the best outfits in the VTCA, it’s a massive challenge for us.
“Finals are in our own hands, which is a pretty good achievement.”
Laffan said they know that they’re fighting above their weight division against some sides filled with former first XI premier cricketers and internationals.
He said the club had improved over a long period of time with a group of really good cricketers.
“Premierships have come along the way and they feel good and really special,” he said.
“We won’t go away from what we do. We have to continue to get the little things right.
“We continue to battle and fight against some really good sides.”
Laffan was disappointed with the side’s opening day performance against Yarraville Club on Saturday.
The Eagles were bowled out for just 164.
“We’re disappointed that we don’t have a few more on the board, but we’ve set them a target,” Laffan said.
“The transition into two-day cricket has not been where we wanted it. Some have got it right from the get go, others have missed the mark.
“We need to stop looking to score off every ball and be a bit more patient.”
Sammy Laffan top scored with 61. Chris Laffan said his brother had been enormous in the two-day games for them.
“No one could go with him,” he said.
“He’s one who was looking forward to two-day cricket so he can build his innings, which is one of his strengths.”
Laffan said they had spent a lot of time getting their one-day performances right, that it had been a struggle making the switch.
The Clubbers will resume on day two at 0-2.
Laffan said they need to stay positive and bowl well.
“Last week in the Aberfeldie and Yarraville game that 160 to 180 was what both sides got,” he said.
“If we bowl well, we’re right in it and it goes a long way to getting the points.”
In other matches, Westmeadows is 1-10 in reply to Haig Fawkner’s 202.
In division 1, Tullamarine made 212 against Seddon.Gihan Kankanamge top scored with 68.
The Greenvale Kangaroos have a big run chase ahead of them in division 2 against St Andrews Pascoe Vale.
St Andrews made 6-319 from its overs.
Matthew Kent and Chathura Darshana took two wickets each for the Kangaroos.
In division 4, Roxburgh Park is 6-57 in reply to Moonee Ponds 142, while in division 5, Burnside Springs is 1-4 in reply to Donnybrook’s 182.
