Tullamarine is one step closer to securing its spot in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Steve McNamara Shield for next season.
The Demons faced bottom side West Newport on the weekend and managed to increase the gap between them and the Lions.
Demons captain Peter Labbad said there was a sense of relief as they now sit 12 points clear of bottom side and also now ahead of PEGS.
“Two years in a row we’ve been in that spot,” he said. “It was the Greenvale game this time last year.
“We’re stoked to win on the first day. We were worried about the weather, but it turned the other way.
“We’ve had a tough year.”
Labbad said losing three of their best players for a three week period before Christmas had hit the side hard.
He said had they played all season, they might be sitting just outside the top four.
Labbad was pleased with what he saw on the weekend.
The Demons were able to bowl the Lions out for just 107 in 56 overs in front of what Labbad said was a big crowd.
Johanne De Zilva and Ethan Berger took three wickets each for the Demons.
The Demons were then 0-63 at stumps.
On Sunday, the rain stayed away as the Demons got the runs without losing a wicket.
They finished 1-153 with De Zilva finishing 100 not out.
Labbad said while they had wanted to play finals this season, they had seen some improvement on last season.
He said everything else at the club was going really well and they had built a really good culture.
“We’ve played some good cricket and had some bad games,” he said.
“We’ve had 10 14 or 15-year-olds play in our firsts, seconds and thirds.
“Our kids are flying. Our under-14s are in division 1 and we never thought we’d be able to do that.
“Our under-16s will play finals.
“The club is in a good position even if the ladder doesn’t show it. We’re feeling good with where we are with the kids.
“We’re going to make the top four in the next few years and it’ll be worth it.”
