Tullamarine made sure it avoided relegation while ending Newport-Digman’s finals hopes in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Steve McNamara Shield on Saturday.
It’s been a tough season for the Demons as they rebuild, with just two wins on the board and only one of them from taking the points on the day.
That mattered little against the Bulls on Saturday in a one-dayer as the Demons managed to get over the line in a low scoring affair to make it a third win for the season.
Demons captain-coach Peter Labbad said everyone was so excited after the win.
“We were pumped, we jumped to third last,” he said. “It was a miracle win.
“They had to beat us to finish in the top four. The captain of Maribyrnong Park [St Mary’s] messaged me afterwards and said he loves us.”
The Demons batted first and at 0-60 were looking good. Once one wicket fell they continued to fall and they were bowled out for 135.
Labbad top scored with 55 at the top of the order with only two other bats reaching double figures.
“After a good start I thought we should have been pushing for 200,” he said. “We lost our way, but it was the first time all season we’ve had something decent to defend.”
The Bulls never got going in their innings and were bowled out for 112.
Labbad said it was a batters wicket, with the bowlers from both sides bowling really well.
Ethan Berger took three wickets for the Demons, including two early on. Christopher Kenny also took three wickets.
Labbad said Berger was one of the real positives out of this season.
“He’s our opening bowler and is only 18 or 19,” he said. “He took the first two wickets on Saturday and bowled with a lot of steam.
“I promised him he would open the bowling all year in the ones. That is what this season is about.”
Labbad said at the start of the season they expected to finish bottom and were looking at relegation.
He said it was a miracle to finish where they did.
“All the odds were stacked against us this year,” he said. “We had no money and it was all home grown players.
“I 100 per cent thought we would get relegated. To get where we did, we’ll look to build next year and maybe push for finals.”
The Demons under-14 will play in a grand final this Friday night against Avondale Heights. Most of that squad has played part of the season in the first and second XI sides as well.
“In the last five games, eight to 10 of the under-14s have been at our games with air horns and supporting us.
“We’ll be there cheering on Friday night.”
Meanwhile, the Greenvale Kangaroos will be relegated after finishing last.
In the Russell Pollock Shield, Donnybrook finished the regular season in third spot after a final round win against Jacana.
