Tara Murray
It’s a case of deja vu for Sunbury in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Steve McNamara Shield.
Without a win so far, the Roar was keen to fire and show some of the form it knows that it can produce.
The Roar’s bowlers showed plenty of fight on Saturday on day one against Williamstown CYMS, before the batters let them down.
It has left the Roar on the back foot heading into day two of their clash, staring down another big loss.
The Roar’s Marty Kelders said the group still had plenty of faith that they could get the job done this Saturday.
“It was a bit difficult to watch,” he said. “I think we did bowl really well particularly early on when we had them in trouble.
“They did have a bit of a partnership towards the end.
“We then lost a couple of early wickets which was disappointing.”
The CYs were bowled out for just 140 in the 59th over after a strong bowling performance.
Brad Hunter took 5-20 after a surprise move for him to open up the bowling.
“He was excellent with the ball,” Kelders said. “We elected to bowl and it was the right decision.
“We had a good start and Jason McGann was back to his best early on.”
The Roar had 18 overs to bat at the end of day one and was hoping to get through unscathed to launch on day two.
It wasn’t the case, as it crumbed to 5-27 at stumps with no one reaching double figures.
Kelders said the biggest thing is the batters need to adjust to playing two-day cricket and taking their time to set up their innings.
“We’re not executing,” he said. “It’s a bit disappointing and I think we need to apply ourselves a bit more.
“What I noticed was that most of their [CYs] wickets were from good bowling. That is what our batsmen need to look at doing.”
Jacob Caruana (seven not out) and Kyle Corcoran (one not out) are the batsmen that will resume on day two.
Kelders said they know they had the batters left to get the job done.
“We’re still really positive,” he said. “Jordan Ballinger made 65 in our last game and is yet to bat.
“He’s a promising player and Jacob Caruana is a more than capable player with the bat.
“Jason McGann hasn’t batted yet.
“They are more than capable to challenge the total and we remain positive as the opportunity is still there to take the win.”
It was a better day for Sunbury’s second XI, which made 9-193 from its overs.
The Roar were in trouble early but Daniel Caruana managed to find some support from the lower order to post a reasonable score.
Caruana top scored with 79.
