Tara Murray
Sunbury has put itself in the perfect position to push for a top four spot in the second half of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3 season.
After not having a win on the board after three rounds, the Roar have won four of their next five matches to sit in fifth spot heading into the Christmas break.
Playing coach Jace Carton said after the slow start, they would take being in this position at the break.
“We won three in a row, but we fell short last week,” he said. “To get the win [on Saturday] before Christmas is really important for us.
“It keeps us in touch with the top four.
“We’re three points from fourth spot. Going into Christmas with four and half wins, we’re pretty happy with that.”
Carton said the group realised how important Saturday’s match with Werribee Centrals was in the context of the season.
The Roar made 9-162 from their overs, with Sajith Kalumpriya top scoring with 38.
Carton said the pitch was hard to bat on.
“We thought anything over 220 was a good score,” he said. “It was hard to bat on, so to get 160 with our bowling side we were pretty confident that we could get the job done.
“It ended up being a pretty good total on that wicket.”
Carton’s faith in the bowlers was justified as they had Centrals in trouble at 7-50. While one Centrals batter got going, it wasn’t enough as they were bowled out for 136.
It was Jason McGann, who got whacked in the previous round, that led the way.
“He got two wickets in his first over and was on a hat-trick,” Carton said. “He set us up and had them on the back foot.”
McGann finished with two wickets, as did Jason McGowan and Isaac Carton, while Brad Hunter got three wickets.
The Roar now has one more one-dayer after the Christmas break before the side returns to two-day cricket.
Carton said they had a few areas to improve on, but expected to be a better side in the second half of the season.
“We’ll change a few things,” he said. “Not the side, but just our approach.
“No one has played two-day cricket for two to three years, it will be whoever adjusts the quickest that will win games.
“Our wicket is starting to get better as well and getting some more grass on it. Playing at home has been really good.”
