Tara Murray
Sunbury’s batters will be put to the test as the Roar tries to lock in a finals spot in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3.
The Roar’s bowlers put them on top after day one with their match with Pascoe Vale Hadfield, with the batters now needing to finish the job.
Having struggled with consistency with the bat, it will be a good test of where the side is at.
Roar coach Jace Carton said he would have taken bowling Pascoe Vale Hadfield out for 115 at the start of the day.
“They won the toss and batted,” he said. “We’re glad they won the toss as we weren’t sure what it was going to do.
“To bowl them out for 115 after they were 1-50 odd at one stage, was really good. The bowlers did the job as they have all season.”
Brad Hunter took four wickets for the Roar as all five bowlers produced some tight spells.
The Roar had to face 13 overs at the end of the day.
They will resume at 2-23.
Lachlan Treweek and Hunter are the not out batters.
Carton said the focus for the boys had been to just play their normal game.
“It’s one of those tricky totals,” he said. “Looking at other sides in other divisions, batting late in the day is really tricky and about surviving.
“We spoke about playing our normal game. We lost two wickets, but also got 23 runs with a lot of our better bats to come in still.”
A win for the Roar is vital as they fight for a finals spot. They are currently in fifth spot, a game outside the top four.
Carton said they just need to win both of their remaining matches and hope results go their way.
“If we win both our matches and Williamstown Imperials lose a match, we should sneak in,” he said.
“If we sneak in and make finals, that is great. The main aim was to play finals.
“If not, we’re still had a good year and it will hold us in good stead for where we want to be.”
The Imperials were bowled out for 119 by Point Cook in their match. Point Cook will resume at 0-53.
Caroline Springs, which is on the same points at Sunbury, was bowled out for 123 against Grand United.
The Gorillas are 2-61 in reply.
In a promising sign for the Roar, its under-18 side is set to make finals in its first year.
The side didn’t play on the weekend with Hoppers Crossing forfeiting.
Carton said they were excited about what the group was doing.
“They’ve played some really good matches and they’re going to make finals,” he said.
“We were always confident we were going to get the team up. We picked up a few numbers after Christmas. It topped up the numbers and they’re quality players.
“It’s been about getting the boys involved. The senior guys are getting down there to support them.”
