By Tara Murray
There were a few nervous moments before Tullamarine claimed first innings points against Airport West St Christophers in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 1 west Peter Howarth Shield.
In a day that favoured the bowlers, the Demons secured first innings points late on day one with just one wicket in hand.
Airport West elected to bat and at one stage were 2-57, before a late order collapse left them bowled out for 92.
Demons coach Buddy Mendis said they were happy with how they had performed with the ball.
Shehan De Silva continued his good form taking five wickets and took his tally to 31 wickets for the season.
Demons stalwart David Zahorodni had his best bowling performance of the season, taking the other five wickets.
Despite chasing such a low total, Mendis said they knew that the run chase wasn’t going to be an easy one.
“We knew the runs were going to be hard to get,” he said. “Once you lose one wicket on that pitch, you can lose five or six wickets.
“That’s what happened with them and they collapsed.” The Demons lower order came to the rescue late, to ensure they came way with first innings points.
They will resume at 9-98. Number 10 Tim Matsen and number 11 Brett Walters are the two not out batsmen.
Kansajith Kahandugoda top scored with 24, going out just before his side sealed the points.
PHOTO GALLERY: Tullamarine vs Airport West St Christophers
The Demons though aren’t content with just getting six points, they have their eyes on the full 10 points.
Sitting 12 points outside the top four, an outright victory would put them well and truly back into the finals mix.
Airport West sits one position above and will be looking for a reverse outright win, to keep its finals hopes alive.
Mendis said both sides won’t be content after day one.
He said they haven’t given up on playing finals.
“For us, any chance to finish in the top half, we need to have an outright win,” he said.
“We know that it is the sort of year, where anyone on their day can beat anyone.
“It will be really interesting.”
In division 1 north, it was a mixed day for finals hopefuls Craigieburn and Westmeadows.
Craigieburn is in trouble in its run chase against St Francis de Sales. The Eagles did the job with the ball, bowling St Francis out for 85.
In reply, they are 4-24. Westmeadows had a good day with the bat against PEGS. The Warriors made 214 with Chinthaka Jayasinghe the star with 70 coming in at number three.
The Warriors put on 35 for the last partnership to push the score past 200.
PEGS got off to the worst start in its run chase, and will resume at 1-6.
Greenvale Kangaroos have a big run chase on their hands against West Coburg, which made 4-269.
In division 5, Jacana has already conceded first innings points against Williamstown Colts.
