Batsmen were left to rue poor shots in the north A1 turf cricket clash between St Albans and Craigieburn with 18 wickets falling on day one.
Top-of-the-table St Albans elected to bat on a good wicket but was bowled out for 105.
In reply, Craigieburn finished 7-78, 28 runs short of victory.
Craigieburn captain Mick Bury said that before batting his side had been confident of chasing down the small total.
“It was surprising how many wickets fell, as it was a good wicket,” he said.
“Bad shot choice was the issue. I spoke to the captain of the other side after the game and he said the same thing.
“We should have got to the total two, three wickets down and were very confident about it.
“They bowled well, but not super good. Poor shot selection was the difference.”
Bury said his side remained hopeful of taking victory.
“We have three batsmen … if they get 10 runs each, then we win,” he said. “Our No.6, Jeff Arthur, is still in.”
A win for sixth-placed Craigieburn would help with its finals hopes.
“It will keep us alive,” Bury said. “It’s tight between fourth and seventh … hopefully we get into the top four.
“We play Glenroy and Aberfeldie, who are both above us. It’s in our own hands.”
He said the side needed to put together a full team effort.
“If it all links together we can beat anyone,” he said.
“When one side of the team is performing well, the other side has been letting us down.”
In senior division, Greenvale Kangaroos are searching for their second win of the season against St Bernard’s.
After bowling St Bernard’s for 165, the Kangaroos are in the match at 6-92 at stumps on day one.
Tullamarine will be after quick wickets on day two of its match against Bentleigh.
Batting first, Tullamarine was bowled out for 154.
Bentleigh made it through to stumps without losing a wicket and will resume at 0-57.
In north division, Westmeadows will resume at 0-5 against Altona North, which made 221.
Jacana has already conceded first-innings points against Pascoe Vale Sports Club in north B1.
Electing to bat, Jacana was skittled for 76. Pascoe Vale passed that with ease and will resume at 5-102.
