Lalor Stars are a work in progress in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Money Shield.
The Stars have had a solid start to their season with two wins from the first four rounds which also included a washout.
Stars coach Wayne Dow said it was about building for the right time of the year.
“We are a work in progress,” he said.
“We spoke about starting slowly and building towards finals and peaking throughout the season.”
Dow said they had already seen improvements in the first four rounds.
He highlighted the side’s fielding performance on Saturday as one area that they had picked up on.
Another area the Stars have seen improvement this season in the depth they’ve got across the club.
After a number of tough years rebuilding, the club is in the best position it has been for a while.
“Sam [Skinner] is our big recruit and his signing has been substantial,” he said.
“He doesn’t stop smiling and loves the game of cricket. He’s always offering plenty of advice which is fantastic.
“The work we’ve been putting into our younger bowlers is paying dividends as well.
“There is depth and there’s pressure on the firsts, which is good.”
While Ricky Mittaca stepped down as co-coach to focus on his batting, Dow said there hadn’t been much change.
Dow said Mittaca was still at training and on the field.
On Saturday, the Stars were able to put together a strong all round game to account for Greensborough.
The Stars batted first and made 5-195 from their overs.
Dow said there had been some questions over what they would do if they won the toss.
“I wanted to bowl first and the captains went against me,” he said. “It was good the way it panned out.
“It was a really good batting effort as they bowled well. They didn’t give us much room to score, we were happy.”
Jordan Steele top scored with 70 not out for the Stars.
The Stars backed it up in the field and with the ball, bowling Greensborough out for 108.
Ethan Baade took four wickets for the Stars, while Skinner, who was at the stumps all afternoon, took two catches and had a stumping.
Dow said they were happy with the performance.
In other results, Mernda accounted for Research Eltham Collegians.
The Demons made 181 with Nathan Aston top scoring with 39.
The Collegians finished 8-146 in reply.
James Baker took four wickets for the Demons.
