By Tara Murray
Sunbury kicked off 2025 in a strong fashion against the Greenvale Kangaroos in an important GIsborne and District Cricket Association Steve McNamara Shield match.
After an up and down first part of the season, the Roar has started to find its feet as it aims to finish the season strongly.
First up after the break, they face the Kangaroos which sit in seventh spot, only percentage behind the Roar.
After day one of the match, it’s the Roar that sits clearly on top.
The Roar’s Marty Kelders said it was a good way to start the new year.
“We’ve settled down the team now and the younger guys are coming to the fore as we’re more settled,” he said. “Everyone is gelling together and we are a lot better off the field. We are improving every game.”
The Kangaroos won the toss and decided to bat at Clarke Oval.
It was tough going and they were bowled out for just 102.
The Roar shared the wickets with Indika Massalage, Jason McGann and Jackson Treweek taking three wickets each.
Treweek has come into the side with an injury to Kyle Corcoran.
“He was the top ranked player in Play HQ before Christmas with eight wickets,” Kelders said of Treweek.
“He’s had the chance to come up and he played really well and made a huge difference.”
Kelders said McGann did what he normally did, while Massalage was able to come on with spin and have an impact.
It left the Roar with 23 overs to face at the end of the day.
It was a big test for the side which has been bowled out for under 100 three times this season so far and struggled to find runs.
The Roar managed to get to 2-69 at stumps.
Kelders said they were happy with that and it puts them on top.
“It can be difficult late in the day when there’s a lot of pressure on,” he said. “To get away with being only two wickets down, sets us up for next week.”
Sumedha Gamage will resume at 14 not out and Jacob Caruana will resume at two not out. Massalage made a quick fire 48 off 37 balls.
A win would move the Roar away slightly from the relegation battle, while keeps it in finals contention.
Just nine points separates fourth and 10th after seven rounds.
Kelders said with their young group, the focus is to ensure they remain in division 2 for next season.
