Tara Murray
Craigieburn feels things are starting to come together in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division.
With a new coach and a new look side, the Eagles have a number of new challenges to start the season.
With matches against three of last season’s finalists early on, the Eagles have been tested.
Coach Sean Bathman said he was happy with how things were going so far.
“We’re figuring out how we play together,” he said. “We had a fantastic pre-season and the boys are getting to know each other.
“They’re starting to get which is nice. There’s lots of work and I hope we can put it out there.”
After a competitive game against Yarraville Club last up, the Eagles have the biggest test in the competition, facing Deer Park.
The Eagles had control of the game early on before the Lions clash shone through to make 9-299.
Bathman, who is currently out injured, said the Lions showed what they could do.
“We had four quick wickets and then they got a good partnership,” he said. “The boys fought it out well and the Deer Park boys batted really well.
“They bat really deep and they can bat the whole 80 overs. I thought we did bowl well, but that is what cricket is.”
Josh Rasu and James Portou took three wickets each for the Eagles.
The Lions took their late momentum into late in the day as the Eagles had to face five overs.
It wasn’t what the Eagles were after as they lost three quick wickets to finish the day at 3-21.
Sammy Laffan (four not out) and Rasu (yet to score) will be the batters to resume on day two.
Despite being behind the eight ball, Bathman said they felt they were still in the game.
“The boys in at the moment are more than capable of making a big partnership,” he said. “Hopefully we can watch them both ton up.
“We have plenty of bats left and hopefully we can push it next week.”
Bathman said they were hoping to get a couple of wins before Christmas to stay in the mix.
He said the first focus was on being competitive every game.
“It’s about getting better every week and if we continue to do that throughout the whole club we are going to be successful and set up for long term success.”
In other matches, Westmeadows will need to bat well if it’s to get the win against Keilor.
The Blues made 8-221 from their overs.
Pathum De Mel took 7-49 for the Warriors.
Meanwhile in the Steve McNamara Shield, Tullamarine is in trouble against West Newport.
The Demons are 4-41 in reply to West Newport’s 247.
In the Evans Clark Shield, Footscray Angliss has already claimed first innings points against Roxburgh Park.
Angliss will resume at 7-115 in reply to 104.
In the Russell Pollock Shield, Barkly St Uniting is 1-96 in reply to Jacana’s 189, while Donnybrook was bowled out for 136 against Burnside Springs United.
