Roxburgh Park Falcons have celebrated a win for just the second time this season in Victorian Turf Cricket Association north A1.
The Falcons have been having a lean season in their return to the VTCA, but they shone against Sunshine.
Having put 206 on the board, the Falcons weren’t going to let their old rivals enjoy an easy run chase.
Falcons coach Andrew Spencer shared the ball around the bowlers as he looked to make sure they didn’t suffer in the heat.
But it was two unlikely suspects who did most of the damage with the ball.
“Our two wicketkeepers took six wickets between them,” Spencer said.
“Our second ’keeper, Josh Rist, who was filling in, normally bats down the order,” Spencer said. “We threw him the ball and he took 3-18.
“Jacob Austin, who has returned to the club since Christmas, bowled a bit of off spin and he turned the game with two key wickets.”
The Crows still looked headed for a win with two wickets in hand and needing just over 20 runs.
But the Falcons held their nerve to bowl the Crows out for 193.
Rist, Austin and Naythan Lynch took three wickets each for the Falcons, who finished 4-37 in their second innings.
Spencer said the win would bring confidence to the group, which had endured an up-and-down season.
“It was a good day against an old rival,” he said.
“There’s been more ups than downs this season.
“The main aim was survival and to get back on track coming down from subbies.
“We’ve had three players come on board after Christmas, which shows we’re doing things right.
“We’ve been bleeding juniors in our second side, so we’ve had no depth and competition for spots.”
Spencer said the club was already talking to players about next season and looking to have at least one or two more teams.
The Falcons will finish the season with winnable matches against Jacana and bottom side Caroline Springs.
Meanwhile, Jacana lost to Barkly Street Uniting.
Jacana made 222 on day one, which Uniting made with one wicket in hand.
In senior division, Greenvale Kangaroos knocked off ladder leader Yarraville Club.
The Clubbers resumed at 0-45, chasing 327, but fell 60 runs short of victory when bowled out for 277.
Tallan Wright took three wickets for the Kangaroos.
Tullamarine suffered a big loss to Strathmore.
The fight for a top two spot in north-west A1 took another turn in the form of contrasting fortunes for Craigieburn and Westmeadows.
Craigieburn returned to the top of the table with an outright victory against Kingsville.
Meanwhile, Westmeadows fell agonisingly short of a first-innings win and then an reverse outright win.
Needing 98 for first innings points, the Warriors were all out for 94. Needing 120 for a reverse outright result, the Warriors finished 9-107.
