By Tara Murray
Craigieburn is hoping Saturday’s performance is the start of a turnaround in its Victorian Turf Cricket Association Tony Isaacs Shield Division 1 North competition.
Having lost six straight games, the Eagles have slipped to second bottom on the ladder.
Facing bottom side Royal Park/Brunswick in a two-day match, the Eagles are in control after day one.
Eagles’ playing coach Chris Laffan said it didn’t look like it would be that way early-on.
“A few things didn’t go our way early on,” he said.
“It was a flat deck and they were 2-90. After the drinks break and tea, we bowled really well and got into our line and lengths.”
The Eagles bowled Royal Park/Brunswick for 161.
Mick Bury and Josh Eaton took four wickets each for the Eagles.
Having to face 17 overs with the bat, the Eagles were 1-38 at stumps.
Laffan said they were happy with where they were sitting heading into day two.
He said they were hopeful a win would give the side some much needed momentum heading into the final few rounds.
Despite their losing run, the Eagles remain just a game outside the top four.
“It’s unbelievable how close it is,” Laffan said.
“It’s quite an even contest. We’re sitting second bottom. [but] we knocked off West Coburg earlier in the season and they are comfortably on top. Anyone can beat anyone.
“We hit the ground running, but have struggled since then.
“Hopefully we can continue on next week and get that momentum.”
Laffan said they were clearly a better two-day side, than one-day team.
“It’s not ideal to lose six games in a row, but we know where our strengths lie,” he said.
“We’ve been a victim of the one-day game with the scheduling and wet weather.
“A couple of games we were clearly beaten, but in others we would normally back our bowling in but a few things didn’t go our way.
“With an inexperienced side it took its toll. Most weeks we’re going in with an average age of 25.
“We can spread the lot a bit more in the two-dayers and the younger players are playing more of a role and we’re not relying on them so much.
“Hopefully we can regain some of that momentum.”
In other division 1 north matches, Westmeadows will have a tough chase on its hands against PEGS.
Having elected to bat, PEGS made 242, bowled out in the third last over.
In division 1 west, Tullamarine and Greenvale Kangaroos both have 200-plus totals to chase down.
The second-placed Demons need 257 against Laverton, while the Kangaroos need 207 against Altona North.
In division 5, Jacana claimed victory against Barkly Street Uniting. Jacana finished 6-97 in reply to Uniting’s 93.
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