Epping was searching for an outright victory over Rosanna but happily settled for a win on first innings in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association’s Barclay Shield on Saturday.
Epping secured first-innings points on day one by bowling out Rosanna for 58 then making 126 in reply.
But as Epping chased the maximum 10 points, Rosanna’s batsmen showed more resistance in the second innings, batting out the day to finish 6-92 at stumps.
Epping coach John Lever could not have been happier with the start to the season, which has seen three straight wins.
“I’ll definitely take that,” he said. “Ideally, you’d like to start a season the way we have, but with such an even competition you don’t expect it.
“We were in the position to get the outright victory and we played all day to try to get it. Rosanna is a very disciplined side and batted very well all day and shut the game down. In the end it got a little out of reach.”
PICTURE GALLERY/SALES: EPPING V ROSSANA
Lever said bowlers Marcus Murphy, Billy McKeown and Thomas Emmins had benefited from playing a couple of years in the top division.
“Everyone is playing their roles at the moment,” he said.
“If one person fails with the bat or ball, the next one steps up.
“You have to aim for finals. We’re focusing on winning every game and that doesn’t change whoever we are playing.”
Other DVCA results
Diamond Creek went to the top of the ladder with an outright victory over Mernda.
After easily chasing down Mernda’s 67, Diamond Creek declared at 4-68 and sent Mernda back in.
Mernda was little better with the bat than in the first innings, making only 100, Callum Dean top-scoring with 37.
Diamond Creek reached the target of 100 with no problems, reaching 5-102 in the second innings.
Plenty’s winless start to the season continued with defeat by Bundoora.
After trailing by 73 on the first innings, Plenty managed 5-91 in their second innings to avoid an outright loss, thanks mainly to a fighting 55 not out by captain Steven Villani as his teammates struggled.
Old Paradians/St Francis got its first win of the season against Lower Eltham.
After making 7-204, Old Paradians/St Francis restricted Lower Eltham to 174.
Udhara Hewa Wellalage was the pick of the bowlers, taking 6-39.
Mill Park and Lalor Stars were among the winners in the Money Shield, while Whittlesea lost to Montmorency.
