By Tara Murray
Mill Park ended the Lalor Stars’ winning start to the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Money Shield season on Saturday.
It was a complete performance by Mill Park which backed up a strong effort with the bat on day one of the match, with a strong bowling performance on Saturday.
The efforts with both the bat and ball resulted not only in a win, but a big one at that.
Tigers’ skipper Adam McLaughlin said they were pretty happy with their performance on day one when they made 9-307 from their overs.
“They had a few players out, so it was a good time to get them,” McLaughlin said of the Stars.
“It’s our highest score in a couple of seasons.
“The top order did a good job, We were one or two wickets down at tea and it allowed everyone to play with a bit more freedom.
“We’re not getting carried away though, we were bowled out for 33 earlier in the season.”
Despite being in control of the game, McLaughlin said they knew that the game wasn’t over.
The Stars have proven this season that they could chase down big totals.
The Tigers got two early wickets, before the Stars steadied and were looking good at 2-86.
The wickets then started to fall and the Stars lost eight quick wickets to be all out for 147.
McLaughlin said they were impressed with how the bowlers had stood up.
PHOTO GALLERY: Mill Park vs Lalor Stars
Rayan Williams took 6-60 off 18.3 overs, while Dalton Polius took three wickets and two great catches.
The win is the Tigers second of the season and they sit in sixth spot.
The Stars slip down to fifth spot, with the top five teams all having a 3-1 record.
McLaughlin said the competition was pretty even this season. He said the win on Saturday would give them some confidence.
After winning just two games last season, he said the focus this season was on consistency.
“We’ve got a few younger players back to the club which helps,” he said. “The likes of Aaron Mills and Jackson [Van Meeuwen].
“The main goal for us is to be competitive every game. Last season we weren’t competitive in every game.
“It makes it easier to train and turn up on Saturdays.”
In other results, Bundoora United had a big win against Mernda.
Bundoora United made 3-168 in reply to Mernda’s 142. Mernda was 5-57 in its second innings.
Old Paradians avoided an outright win against Banyule. Bowled out for 60 on day one, it was always going to be a tough ask for Old Paradians.
Banyule made 8-263, with Old Paradians 7-83 in their second innings when stumps were called.
In the Barclay Shield, Epping claimed victory against Macleod.
The Pingers finished 3-143 in reply to Macleod’s 133.
Bundoora suffered an outright loss to Heidelberg.
The Bulls were bowled out for 79 and 44 against Heidelberg, which made 9-164 in its only innings.
