By Tara Murray
Lalor Stars pulled off a remarkable win against Montmorency in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Money Shield.
Set 283 for victory off 60 overs, the Stars were always in for a challenge to make the runs.
But a solid pace throughout the innings and some big hitting put the Stars in the position to take the win.
They hit the winning runs with a couple of overs to spare, finishing 4-283.
Stars playing coach Steve Kemp said it was a massive win in the context of their season.
“I didn’t think we would be able to get the runs,” he said.
“It was a small ground with a fast outfield, so we decided to see how we would go.”
Montmorency started the day batting with 20 overs left in their innings. They added about 100 to their day one total, to reach 8-282.
With just 60 overs to get the runs, Kemp was happy to bat the game out and aim for the draw.
His teammates had other ideas.
“I said I think that we should play for the draw,” he said. “Only one player agreed with me.
“The rest said we should see how we start and go from there.”
The Stars were going along nicely, when Aaron Amos turned the game in their favour.
A quick-fire 54, which included five fours and three sixes, off not many balls, put the equation at 80 runs needed off 80 balls.
The Stars were able to get the job done, finishing 2-283.
Kemp, who opened the batting, was there at the end making an unbeaten 106, which included 14 fours.
He said while he was happy with his own individual performance, that of the whole team was more pleasing.
“I’m happy with the way they went about it,” he said.
“We’re now two from two and hopefully we can get going. As I said to the guys, we can build from these wins.
“The first game we chased down 220. Hopefully we can keep it going.”
The Stars are hoping they can keep the consistency throughout the whole season after a good start last season before missing finals.
He said having improved the last two seasons, they’re looking to continue that this year.
“It’s a really even competition, where you can drop from first to fourth with one loss,” he said.
“We’re aiming for finals. It doesn’t matter where.”
Lalor Stars have a similar side to last season and have added a bit more experience. Josh Nixon (Mernda), Amos (Epping) and Karl Heckmann (South Morang) have all
joined the club.
In other results, Bundoora United beat Eltham. Eltham batted early on day two to take its total to 9-260.
Bundoora United fired with the bat, making 6-264 with seven balls remaining. Skipper Mathew Ross made 88 at the top of the order.
Old Paradians beat Research Eltham Collegians.
Defending 170, Old Paradians bowled Eltham out for 159. Mathew Harding took four wickets for Old Paradians.
Banyule had an easy win against Mill Park. Making 7-213, Banyule then bowled Mill Park out for just 33.
Jeremy Hannan took 7-14 off 11.1 overs.
Mill Park finished 3-64 in its second innings.
Mernda had to settle for a draw with rain ending its clash Lower Plenty. The
Demons were two wickets from victory.
In the Barclay Shield, Bundoora defeated Rosanna and Epping drew with Heidelberg.
