Craigieburn knows every win is vital in its run home in Victorian Turf Cricket Association’s north-west A1.
A single result can see a team fall several positions, with little separating the top six sides.
In the past two weekends, the Eagles have faced some tough opposition in Westmeadows and St Francis de Sales, which are also finals contenders.
After a disappointing day with the bat against Westmeadows, the Eagles were out to make amends on Saturday against ladder leader St Francis de Sales.
The Eagles made 7-187 from their overs, with mid-season recruit Samuel Laffan top scoring with 55.
Laffan, a former Craigieburn junior, has returned to the club from Premier Cricket club Carlton.
In reply, the Eagles restricted St Francis de Sales to 9-153.
Sikander Sharma and David Garvin took two wickets each for the Eagles.
Eagles coach Ian Blanchett said the key to the side having success this season would be the batting.
“It was a great win,” he said. “We batted well, bowled and fielded well too.
“If we can put the batting together, we are a tough side to beat. We just need to keep putting our batting together.”
Blanchett said the return of Laffan had helped strengthen the batting.
“A lot of times we just have one person getting the runs – this week we had a few players make runs,” he said. “Hopefully, Sammy is back for good now and hopefully he can keep getting runs. He’s very keen at training and helps bring some more youth into the side.”
Blanchett said Eagles had plenty of bowling depth, meaning players had to perform to keep their spots.
“The boys are pushing each other and there’s good competition for bowling spots,” he said.
The win moves the Eagles to second on ladder, just under two points behind Westmeadows.
Blanchett said the aim from here on in would be to secure a home final.
“Anyone of the top six sides can win it,” he said.
In other matches, Westmeadows defeated Glenroy.
Glenroy made 9-137, with Tarique Jeffrey taking four wickets for Westmeadows.
In reply, Westmeadows made 6-154 with Jeffrey then doing the damage with the bat by top scoring with 51 not out.
In senior division, Greenvale Kangaroos suffered a second straight loss, this time losing to Strathmore, while Tullamarine lost to Spotswood.
In north A1, Roxburgh Park Falcons and Jacana both lost.
