By Tara Murray
Sunbury overcame a few nervous moments to get its second win on the board in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Steve McNamara Shield.
The Roar entered day two of its clash with the Greenvale Kangaroos on top but were still made to work hard for the runs on Saturday.
It was able to do that to record a big win on the back of some lower order runs.
Sunbury’s Marty Kelders said it was a good performance with the bat in the end.
“There were a few nervous moments, but we got the job done,” he said. “Our home ground is a low scoring ground with a really slow outfield.
“Even though it seemed like a low total, it was hard work to get it.”
The Roar resumed on Saturday at 2-69 in reply to the Kangaroos’ 102.
It was tough going for the Roar which lost two quick wickets. It lost another two before it passed the Kangaroos total.
Sunbury eventually declared for 8-153. The score was the Roar’s highest first innings total this season.
Jason McGann top scored with 43 not out, with Kelders saying he did what he normally did.
It was Jacob Caruana that really impressed Kelders.
“He was the standout,” Kelders said. “He made 24 and batted intelligently and it was a very mature innings.
“He’s one of those players who have come through our junior ranks and has got an opportunity in the senior side.”
The Roar sent the Kangaroos back in as it searched for an outright win. The Kangaroos batted smartly and were 2-64 when the match was called with no chance of an outright.
Virosh Wijesinghe and Indika Massalage were the wicket takers for the Roar.
Kelders said you always live in hope that you can pull off an outright win.
The win has the Roar sitting in seventh spot.
It is just four points outside the top four, but at the same time nine points clear of bottom.
Kelders said they weren’t looking too far ahead.
“We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves,” he said. “We want to continue to build as a group.
“If we can get some solid results the rest will take care of itself.”
Meanwhile, the Roar’s second XI had a good win.
Riley Draicchio and Mitchell Johnston both hit unbeaten 100s.
The Roar this Saturday faces fourth placed Newport-Digman in a one-dayer. The two-day match between the sides earlier in the season ended in a draw after day two was washed out.
The Roar had a bye in the T20 competition on Tuesday night.
