Tullamarine is enjoying the challenges being thrown at them in the Victorian Turf Cricket’s senior division.
Promoted after winning the north division last season, Tullamarine has started with a win and loss.
Senior player Nick Zajac said the team’s early form had given them confidence for the rest of the season.
“We didn’t pick up any players in the off -season,” he said. “We still have the side which won last year’s premiership.
“The biggest thing in jumping up divisions is that you find more quality cricketers and sides have more depth. Finals would be great, but, realistically, we’re hoping to finish around the middle of the table and cement ourselves in senior division.”
Tullamarine will be looking for its second win of the season, when it resumes its match against Beaumaris on Saturday.
“I thought we had the better part of the day, but the last 20 overs Beaumaris dominated,” Zajac said.
“Everyone in our top four got starts and we were 5-180 after 60 overs.
“Then we lost 5-15 in 10 overs and they wrested momentum.
“We kept losing wickets and couldn’t get the momentum and get back on track.”
Tullamarine was eventually all out for 201. Beaumaris ended the day 0-41 in response.
“We hoped to get one or two early wickets but we leaked too many runs,” Zajac said. “They batted positively and didn’t take risks.”
Zajac said early wickets would be the key on day two of the match.
“[A score of] 200 at our home is always a big ask,” he said.
In north division, Westmeadows needs 171 to get its first win of the season after West Coburg made 170 on day one of the clash.
Westmeadows will start the chase on day two at 1-3.
Craigieburn will be seeking early wickets against Haig Fawkner in north A1. Craigieburn was all out for 72 and Haig Fawkner made easy work of the target to reach 1-76 by stumps.
Jacana got its third win for the season in north B1 against RMIT.
After sending RMIT in, Jacana bowled them out for 99, with Telge Peiris and Jack Ottaway both taking three wickets. Peiris then backed up with 71 in a reply of 4-150.
