By Tara Murray
Craigieburn started the year with a bang, knocking off ladder leaders Glenroy in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 1 north Tony Isaacs Shield.
Hoping to cement a spot in the top four, the Eagles produced a strong performance with the ball and bat to come away with the win.
The Eagles have now won three out of their last four games. Eagles playing coach Chris Laffan said getting a win like that was a big bonus.
“It’s a good way to start the year,” he said.
“The way the ladder is with all the sides so close, it means that every win is such a vital one.
“It was a good result to knock off the ladder leaders.
“With the results [on the weekend], we have been able to break away a little bit. We’ve got another one-dayer next week and hopefully we can put a win on the board.”
Laffan said being able to get some consistent cricket under their belt on game day and at training had been the big difference in recent rounds after a rain affected start to the season.
On Saturday, Craigieburn restricted Glenroy to 154, bowling it out with an over remaining.
Laffan said they stuck to a bowling plan which had an impact, both good and bad.
“We saw the wicket was a bit slow so we tested them outside the leg stump and the majority of early wickets were nicked behind.
“We also had 30 extras as we tested them wide. It is something that we still have to work on.
“We had them about 5-50 which put us in control.
“One bat got on top of us and hit the ball clean and showed that if you were good enough, you could bat well.”
Shupinder Taggar took three wickets, as the Eagles shared them around with all five bowlers taking a wicket.
Laffan said they approached the batting smartly, doing all the work early to chase down the runs in the 37th over.
Four of the six batsmen who batted, scored 20 or more. Adam Davies top scored with 47 not out.
“Adam showed his improvement and maturity,” Laffan said.
“He forced Sunny [Taggar] to take a backseat out there, which is a really good sign of his growth.
“He’s showed some really good signs the last couple of years.”
Craigieburn now sits third, just three points behind the top two teams.
They play a one-dayer this week against Royal Park-Brunswick, before getting into some two-day cricket. Laffan said they were looking forward to playing the longer format.
He said every match was like a final on the run home.
Westmeadows was the other big benefactor of Craigieburn’s win, with the Warriors moving to the top of the ladder.
The Warriors had a good win against St Francis de Sales.
St Francis made 9-163 with Aaron Evans taking 4-41 for the Warriors.
The Warriors got the runs with nearly five overs remaining, finishing 5-167. Captain-coach Tarek Moughanie top scoring with 64 at the top of the order.
Greenvale Kangaroos suffered a loss to Royal Park Brunswick.
In division 1 west, Tullamarine had a day out against Altona North.
The Demons bowled Altona North out for just 65, with Shehan De Silva taking 5-9. The Demons finished 0-68 in reply.
In division 5, Jacana lost to Melton South Royals.
