Tara Murray
Tullamarine got a much needed confidence boosting win in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 1 on Saturday.
The Demons had been winless through their first six matches and were starting down being win less at the Christmas break.
On Saturday though, the Demons held their nerve despite a few nervous moments to beat Sunshine.
President and first XI player Justin Shield said they were hoping that the win would kick start their season.
“We were 0-6, so to win against a top four side like Sunshine is really good,” he said.
“Our captain David [Scott] said last week that we’ve been in every single game, but we’ve had lapses for 10 overs where we’ve dropped off.
“That was the most complete 80 overs we’ve played this season. Hopefully we can take some momentum into next year.”
Sunshine won the toss on Saturday and elected to bat. The Crows quickly went from 0-37 to 4-39. The wickets continued to flow throughout the innings as they were restricted to 9-140.
Shield said that was a total they were quite happy with.
“With Sunshine they have [Kaushal] Lokuarachchi at the top of the order, who was the key,” he said.
“Gihan [Kankanamge] claimed him first ball with a caught and bowled. We knew we were a big chance after that.
“We were bowling well and the other opener took 23 or 24 balls to get off the mark. On that deck, was about 180 to 190, so they were 40 to 50 runs short
Kankanamge finished with three wickets for the Demons.
Shield said they were pretty confident of being able to get those runs, even when playing coach Danny Law, who had been in some good form, went out early.
At 4-118 the Demons looked on track for victory, but there was still another twist in the tail.
Shield said there were a few nerves.
“Our middle order stood up and showed some composure to get close to the target,” he said.
“We have this habit of collapsing and losing quick wickets in consecutive overs, it’s something we have to work on.
“We were able to just get the win and hopefully we can build some momentum.”
Scott played a captain’s knock, finishing 44 not out as the Demons finished 8-141.
The Demons remain bottom of the ladder, but the gap to the top four is now 15 points. The Demons have played one less match than most teams.
They will play that catch up match on January 8 against West Coburg, after playing Sydenham-Hillside the day before.
Shield said they would take plenty of belief into those two matches knowing it could set up their season.
In the senior division, Craigieburn sits in third spot at the break after beating Keilor on Saturday.
The Blues were bowled out for 166 with Zac Orr and Waduwidanalage Rangika taking three wickets each.
The Eagles got the job down, finishing 6-170 with Sammy Laffan top scoring with 50 not out.
Westmeadows has work to do in the second half of the season, sitting bottom.
The Warriors, who have been stripped of points for their win against Keilor, lost to St Albans on Saturday.
The Warriors made 5-218 before St Albans made 3-224 in reply.
