Craigieburn knows a win in the final game before Christmas is vital to its finals chances in Victorian Turf Cricket’s North A1 division.
With his side sixth on the ladder, Craigieburn player-coach Ian Blanchett knows a win in the current match could achieve his pre-season goal of being in the top four at Christmas.
“I thought we may have been fourth, but we lost a couple of games we shouldn’t have,” he said.
“If we can win this weekend, hopefully we’ll move up to fourth or fifth. Aberfeldie [who is above us] has already lost.”
And Craigieburn is well on its way to that much-needed victory after day one of the match against fifth-placed Glenroy.
Batting first, Glenroy was bowled out for 158.
“It was a good effort and we bowled and fielded a lot better than we have been,” Blanchett said. “We worked hard at training this week and it paid off.
“They got away from us in the first 20 overs, then we started to bowl at the stumps and attack with the field.
“Our fielding was really good and we didn’t drop catches.”
David Garvin took four wickets, while Michael Bury chipped in with three wickets and Justin Mathew with two.
In reply, Craigieburn was 2-89 at stumps, with opener Daniel English unbeaten on 50.
“We’ve just got to knuckle down on day two,” Blanchett said of the match. “We’re desperate for the win.”
It was a slightly frustrating day for Blanchett, who had to watch from the sidelines.
“I broke my finger and had to score,” he said. “It wasn’t too bad but I’d rather be playing.”
Meanwhile, AFL star Jake Carlisle made 146 for Craigieburn’s second side against Glenroy in North A2.
Carlisle, who has just switched from Essendon to St Kilda, was a talented junior cricketer with Craigieburn before focusing on his football.
In other North A1 matches, Jacana has secured first-innings points against Aberfeldie.
Jacana skittled Aberfeldie for just 81 with Rhys Brown taking 5-17.
In reply, Jacana was 4-125 at stumps, Rhys Evans top-scoring with 64.
Westmeadows is also primed for victory against St Francis de Sales.
After sending St Francis de Sales in, the Warriors bowlers made the most of the conditions and bowled them out for 117, Chanaka Welegedara taking 5-18.
The Warriors will start day two on 1-26.
In senior division, 180 to Matthew Innes set up Greenvale Kangaroos’ total of 9-319 against Strathmore.
Tullamarine made 209 against St Bernards, which is 1-19 in reply.
