Harper Sercombe
It was a historic day for Sunbury in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association on Saturday as the club won its first ever division 2 game.
After a disappointing start to the season, Sunbury was able to finally get the win it was after, defeating Royal Park Brunswick.
After being sent in to bat last week and being dismissed for 164 from 64 overs, Sunbury had a big job on their hands with the ball this weekend. However, it was able to halt Brunswick just nine runs off the target, bowling the side out for 155 from 63 overs.
“We haven’t played anywhere near the potential that we could have this season,” captain-coach Kevin Barker said. “We’re a really good side, we just haven’t shown it yet,
“To get the monkey off the back is a good feeling.
“It was just pure relief, we’re a side that shouldn’t be 0-7… I’m rapt for all the guys, I’m wrapped for everybody behind the scenes that are putting the work in for minimal results so far this year. So hopefully it can kickstart our existence in division 2.”
The win didn’t come without its challenges, when Brunswick’s tail began to come home hard.
“We had them 8-88, and only ended up winning by nine runs,” Barker said. “They dug in really well in the tail.
“The pitch flattened out a little bit in the second half of the innings, they just played smart cricket and we probably panicked a little bit, which came purely out of the desire to win the match.
“At the end of the day we got it done, it doesn’t matter if we win by one run or 100, we got the six points. It’s a nice feeling for everyone who was a part of that, to be part of the first ever win in division 2.”
Ashan Ranaweera was the clear man of the match for the Roar,, as the all-rounder made 48 with the bat and took 6-44 with the ball.
“They’re games that you dream of as a cricketer,” Barker said.
“He just looked on from his first over, he bowled so well. You’ve got to give credit to our opening bowlers, Jack [McGann] and Jackson [Treweek], they started off and bowled really tight which created a lot of pressure for the spinners to come on and take some wickets.”
To continue this success when Sunbury faces Newport Digman on the weekend, Barker said his side will need to focus on doing the basics well.
“We just have to keep up the processes, we’ve been working hard, training hard, enjoying each other’s company on and off the field,” he said.
“When it comes to game day we need to make sure we’re doing the basics right with bat and ball and use the experience that we have.”
