After 160 overs, Tullamarine and Newport-Digman couldn’t be split in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Steve McNamara Shield on Saturday.
While many games were affected by rain, the Demons and Bulls played an absolute thriller which went down to the wire.
The Demons made 8-251 on day one of the match, which was matched by the Bulls who finished 8-251 on Saturday.
Demons president and opener Peter Labbad said there was a bit of a flat feeling after the game.
“They got a single off the last ball to get the draw,” he said. “Everyone slumped to their knees and it was really quiet for five minutes before we all shook hands.
“It was really sombre. Had we won it would have put us on top.”
Shehan De silva took three wickets for the Demons, while Malith Nimanthaka and Devin Ratnasinghe took two wickets each.
Labbad said they felt like the match was one that got away, but it showed really positive signs for the club.
Last season the Steve McNamara Shield team won just three games for the season and only avoided relegation in the final round. They already have one win and a tie.
“We’re going really well and we’re in a good position unlike last year,” he said. “The feeling is really good and there’s a massive vibe around the club.
“The under-14s and under-16s have been outstanding and we’re having dinners all together, with the juniors watching the seniors and the seniors watching the juniors.”
Johanne De Zilva has been the standout for the Demons early on. He made 99 against Newport-Digman.
He has now stepped into an assistant coach role at the Demons in his first season at the club.
De Zilva is a level 1 accredited coach with the England and Wales Cricket Board.
“He’s one of our marquee players and he’s been outstanding,” Labbad said.
“He made 99 and bowling well.
“He had brought a lot of experience and talent to the team. He is a nice guy, an unbelievable guy.”
The Demons now face Grand United in a one-dayer this Saturday.
Labbad said it would be a good test for them.
“It will let us know where are at,” he said. “We we play well and are competitive it’s a good sign.
“If we get beat badly, there’s a bit of work to be done. If we win, it will give us a lot of confidence that we can match is this year.”
In the Roy Picone Shield, Greenvale Kangaroos lost to Pascoe Vale Hadfield.
The Kangaroos were bowled out for 126 in reply to the Panthers 213.
In the Russell Pollock Shield, Donnybrook got the win against Williamstown Congs.
Donnybrook finished 5-199 in reply to the Congs, 169.
Jacana and Roxburgh Park’s game was abandoned.
The Jaguars were 4-95 in reply to the Falcons’ 9-252.
