By Tara Murray
Tullamarine’s confidence continues to grow in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Peter Howarth Shield Division 1 west competition.
After starting slowly with just one win in their first four matches, the Demons have now won five of the past six games, with only a washout preventing them claiming full points in that time.
Demons all rounder David Zahorodni said the side was starting to gel and the results were falling their way.
“The confidence is there,” he said.
“In any season to get five wins in row, even in a really good season, is hard.
“We had Nick Zajac miss the first month and a couple of injuries early on. [Now] The side is started to look settled.
“We just want to make sure we finish in the top four and go from there.”
The Demons performed strongly to claim an easy win against Deer Park.
Sent in, Deer Park looked in control early on before a batting collapse had them bowled out for 93.
Zahorodni said it was a really good performance with the ball and in the field.
“They were 2-60-odd and we pegged them back. Shane [Siebel] took three wickets and Ruwan [Perera] bowled well.
“We fielded well and I don’t think we dropped a catch. We also had three run-outs – that helps when they go our way.”
The Demons started well before they too lost a clump of wickets. But they did enough to get the win, finishing 4-96.
Modera Perera top-scored for the Demons, making 38.
Zahorodni said, heading forward, they need to make sure they don’t lose quick wickets like they did in this game.
The win moves the Demons up to second place, with the top two teams both suffering losses.
The confidence in the playing group isn’t just in the Demons’ top side, with the second side also sitting in the top four.
They were playing for top spot at the weekend, but suffered a loss.
This week the Demons play bottom side Laverton. Zahorodni said they know they can’t take Laverton lightly.
“They’ve lost some close games and sometimes when you lose one close game, you keep losing them.”
In other division 1 west matches, Greenvale Kangaroos made it two wins in a row.
After taking nine rounds to get a win, the Kangaroos didn’t have to wait long for the second, beating Aberfeldie.
The Kangaroos made 103, bowled out in the 36th over. Matthew Lucente top-scored with 31. Aberfeldie was bowled out for 89.
Matthew Kent took three wickets.
In division 1 north, Westmeadows defeated Keilor Park, while St Francis de Sales was too strong for Craigieburn.
MORE VTCA NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/keilor-fires-up-bounces-back-and-eyes-top-four-berth/
