Lalor Warriors batsmen started 2016 as if they were still on holiday and were made to pay in the North Metro Cricket Association’s Jika Shield on Saturday.
The Warriors, sitting second on the ladder, were hoping to start the new year the same way they finished 2015, as one of the form teams of the competition.
Instead they suffered a shock defeat at the hands of North Brunswick/Rosebank.
The Warriors chose to bat first but struggled to get going and finished their innings at 9-126.
Nick Christie top-scored with 31.
North Brunswick/Rosebank then replied with 3-130, Christie taking 2-15 off his eight overs.
Warriors captain-coach Todd Hughes said it was a disappointing way to start the year.
“Both games we have lost this season have been because of our batting,’ he said.
“I think the break between games didn’t help us, as not many players did much over the break.
“It’s time we got back into and we’ll look to start training two nights a week again.
“Finals are only two months away.”
While Hughes was disappointed with the batting, he was more pleased with the bowling.
“We fought back really well and they got the runs with only three balls left,” he said.
Despite the loss, the Warriors remain second on the ladder with a handy 10-point buffer over third-placed Keon Park.
But it’s a handy break, with percentage separating third to sixth and seventh-placed North Brunswick/Rosebank only one game further behind.
“Looking back on the start of the season, it will be those close wins at the start of the year that will get us into finals and, hopefully, a top-two spot,” Hughes said.
“We’re in the right spot and this weekend will play a major part in where we finish with two games being played.
“If we can win both games, it will go a long way to sealing up a top-two spot and a home final.”
Hughes said the side was in a better place than when they were on a four-game winning streak at the start of the season.
“We now have a settled side, while in the first few games we had so many changes each week,” he said.
“Now there may be one or two changes and we have the consistency. Everyone knows their role.”
Hughes said that despite the improvement in the Warriors, two-time reigning premiers Rivergum remained the favourites.
Unbeaten Rivergum is on top of the ladder and easily beat Darebin Chargers on Saturday.
After making 9-158, Rivergum bowled out the Chargers for 109.
The Warriors won’t get a first-hand look at Rivergum until the final round of the season.
“It was a washout when we were meant to play them and both sides were undefeated at the time,” Hughes said.
“We were looking forward to play them and use it as a measuring stick.
“Hopefully the last round isn’t a dead rubber and we’re fighting them for top spot.”
In other results, Holy Trinity (7-184) beat Northcote United (183) and Olympic Colts (6-185) were too good for Keon Park (106).
