Camrea Taipans president Shane Parsons says there are still positives to be taken from the 2014 season even though the club will miss the finals.
All weekend matches in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association were called off on Saturday because of the heat policy, meaning all round 10 matches will be one-day fixtures this Saturday.
The Taipans sit sixth on the Money Shield ladder, 16 points adrift of fourth-placed Bundoora United.
Barring a miracle they will miss the finals one season on from demotion from the Barclay Shield, the association’s top grade.
The Taipans won just two games in the 2012-13 season and dropped into the Money Shield after finishing bottom of the ladder.
This season Camrea has won four and lost five, including one outright loss.
A one-day game against Hurstbridge this weekend and a two-day match against flag hopefuls Lalor Stars is all that remains of the season for the Thomastown-based club.
But the Taipans can reflect on season 2013-14 with some pride and in the past three games have passed 200 in every innings.
The Taipans have been led this season by captain-coach and wicketkeeper Dhushanta Ranatunga, who has scored 552 runs at 61, with two centuries and four fifties. Only twice has he not reached 20.
Youngster Lukas Fellows has also been impressive, with 14 wickets for the season at 23.79.
Chamdin Perera has led the attack well, taking 22 wickets at 22.
“Coming down into the Money Shield this season has been a bit of a downer,” Parsons says.
“But I think the guys have really gelled and tried to string wins together.
“Ranatunga has just been sensational for the club, on and off the field. We will definitely be looking to secure him for next season, as well as injecting more youth into the club.
“Unfortunately, we just haven’t quite had the depth we needed this season.”
In the Barclay Shield, Bundoora needs to beat Macleod in a one-day game this Saturday to have any chance of making the finals.
Bundoora sits six points outside and must leapfrog Research/Eltham Collegians and Rosanna.
