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Sunbury’s strong form

Sunbury produced its best all round performance of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Steve McNamara Shield season to get its second win on the board.

It was a good day on Saturday for the Roar as three of its four sides got wins on the board, headlined by its first XI.

The first XI side faced a Tullamarine team that had shown plenty of good signs early in the season.

The Roar won the toss and decided to bat first. It was the right decision as it made 9-184.

Roar coach Leo Italiano said they were thrilled with that total.

“We made a change with Kamran Khan coming into the side,” he said.

“He was dominating in the twos and in the first T20 against a senior division side, he smashed them.

“He was unlucky with Ethan [Connelly] driving one back and the bowler getting a finger on it to get him out.

“Riley [Dracchio] moved down to five and it released the shackles and pressure a little bit.

“He looked fantastic.”

It was Dracchio and Indika Massalage, who set up the innings for the Roar.

The pair put on 74 for the fourth wicket.

Massalage made 72 off 78 balls to lead the way.

“He’s done a lot of work on his batting this year and he has been unlucky,” Italiano said.

“He was a class above. He’s really worked on facing 30 balls.

“He was 10 off 30 something balls at one stage before he went out to try and push the pace.”

The Roar lost a number of wickets late as it tried to push the score, finishing 9-184.

Italiano said seven times out of 10 that would be enough in a one-dayer, but they knew they had their work cut out for them.

“Our bowling was exceptional,” he said.

“We don’t have anyone lightning quick but the guys are disciplined and bowl one side of the wicket and they fielded well.

“It was a good job against a pretty good batting attack this year.”

The Roar was able to bowl the Demons out for just 115.

Jason McGann, Zac Corcoran and Massalage took two wickets each for the Roar.

Italiano said a win like that would give them confidence heading into the clash this week with the Williamstown Imperials.

“We look to be assertive with the bat and turn over the strike,” he said.

“It should be a good game, we’re going into it confident.”

Meanwhile, the Roar lost its opening T20 match to Westmeadows on Thursday night.

After being rescheduled from Tuesday night due to rain, the two teams faced off at Clarke Oval two days later.

The Warriors made 4-128 from their overs with Jordan Kosteas top scoring with 40.

It was single wicket takers for the Roar.

The Roar was bowled out for 104 with one ball remaining in the innings.

Kamran Khan top scored with 34 as just three batters reached double figures.

Warriors skipper Donovan Pell took 5-17.

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