Tara Murray
Confidence is growing for the Sunbury Kangaroos in the Gisborne District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup.
Having slowly found their feet in the top division the last couple of seasons, the Kangaroos are pushing hard to play finals this year.
On Saturday, the Kangaroos knocked off Woodend, another side fighting for a top four spot.
Kangaroos captain-coach Graeme Bennett said it was a pretty exciting win.
“The boys are really clicking which is really good,” he said. “I thought we bowled really well, but our fielding let us down.
“Our batting was amazing and Stuey [Shane Stuart] and Jordan [Ballinger] clicked for the season wicket.”
The Kangaroos won the toss and decided to bowl.
Woodend lost a couple of early wickets before steady. It would go on to make 6-181 from the 45 overs with Harry Lawson top scoring with 82 at the top of the order.
It was all single wicket takers for the Kangaroos.
The Kangaroos never looked in trouble in the run chase, finishing 4-182 with nearly eight overs remaining.
Stuart (75 not out) and Ballinger (64 not out) put on 108 for the second wicket to guide the side to victory.
Bennett said the most pleasing thing was the side was starting to get more contributions across the board and not relying on a couple of players to get the runs.
“Jordan is a young kid and has been really good,” he said. “He’s backing himself in and just coming out and doing it.
“There’s a lot of belief now the younger guys are realising they are good enough to compete with every side.
To chase down 180 and I didn’t make runs, Corey [Woolley] only came in with four runs to go and Foxy [Michael Fox] didn’t bat and Mace Green didn’t play.
“We’re now making runs without our key batters getting all the runs.”
The Kangaroos sit in fourth spot after nine rounds, less than one point ahead of Woodend.
Bennett said a top four finish was their aim.
“We are really happy,” he said of the season so far.
“The next three games are massive for us before two really tough games to finish off the season.
“We play Rupertswood, Diggers Rest and Macedon the next three games. We need to win those games against lower sides.”
In other results, Romsey easily accounted for Macedon, Sunbury United had no issues against Diggers Rest Bulla and Gisborne got home with two balls to go against Rupertswood.
