The Westmeadows first XI players must have thought they had broken a mirror or walked under a ladder this week.
Sitting on top of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association north-west A1 ladder undefeated and heading into the final game before the Christmas break, everything was looking good for the Warriors.
But on Saturday, against St Andrews, the Warriors had a day to forget.
St Andrews made the most of a good wicket, a small ground and injuries to key Warriors players, smashing 356 from 78 overs.
Warriors vice-captain Tarique Jeffrey said that while St Andrews did a good job, the Warriors were left short of bowlers.
“I did my groin in the game,” he said.
“Then our captain-coach, Chanaka Welegedara, did his hamstring and our other fast bowler, Sathpath Kamburugamuwa, did his groin as well. Danny Law took an injury into the game.
“We just couldn’t move in the field. We had to stand there.”
Jeffrey said the injured players were doing what they could to make sure they could bat next week when the Warriors will resume at 1-4.
Jeffrey said the huge run chase will be a good challenge.
“I’m icing my groin now,” he said on Sunday morning. “We have no choice but to chase the score and it will test us … our biggest challenge before Christmas.
“Hopefully, fingers crossed, if we can bat the whole 80 overs we will … get the runs.”
With three wins from their three completed matches, the Warriors are happy with their season so far but Jeffrey said the Christmas break couldn’t come soon enough.
“It’s always good to be on top of the ladder before Christmas,” he said. “To get a win here, chasing a total like that, would be a big boost.
“It’s disappointing to have three or four injuries at the one time. We couldn’t have asked for better timing with the break.”
In other matches, Craigieburn made 190 against Williamstown CYMS. The CYs are 2-42 in reply.
In north A1, Jacana claimed first-innings points against Sunshine YCW and Roxburgh Park Falcons are 3-42 chasing East Coburg’s 226.
In senior division, it was a big weekend for Greenvale Kangaroos and Tullamarine, who fronted up for two matches apiece.
The two sides took to the field for day one of their two-day match on Saturday, with the Kangaroos making 226.
In a catch-up one-day game on Sunday, the Kangaroos defeated Yarraville Club. Greenvale made 8-171, with the Clubbers 128 in reply.
Tullamarine defeated Strathmore on another one-day catch-up encounter. Strathmore made 163, whichTullamarine chased down for the loss of four wickets.
