Tara Murray
Sydenham Hillside’s strong form continued with a win against Sunshine Heights in the opening round of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association T20 competition.
Matches across a number of pools were played on Tuesday night, as the sides turned their attention to the shorter format. Teams play in a round robin competition in pools of three before a knock out stages of the competition.
In the Smith group, Sydenham-Hillside started its T20 campaign with a good win against Sunshine Heights on Tuesday night.
Coming off its first loss of the season in the regular Saturday competition, the Storm faced a Sunshine Heights team keen to kick start their season.
The Heights batted first and made 4-137 from their overs. Mohsin Abbas top scored with 76 off 63 balls.
It was all single wicket takers for the Storm.
The Storm hit the winning runs with more than three overs remaining, finishing 3-139. Gayashan Weerasekara top scored with 49 not out.
Caroline Springs is the other team in that pool and had a bye.
Burnside Springs suffered a a first up loss to Sunbury on Wednesday night.
Sunbury hosted Burnside Springs, with the Roar making 3-145 from its overs with Sajith Kalumpriya top scoring with 41 as all the batters got starts.
Subhaan Mateen took two wickets for Burnside Springs.
Burnside Springs never seemed likely, restricted to 7-92. Nathan Borg top scored with 25. Jackson Treweek took two wickets for Sunbury.
Melton South Royals, the other team in that pool, had a bye.
Sunshine United suffered a first up loss to Footscray United in the Taylor group.
The Bulldogs, a division 2 side, made 7-134 from their overs as Munas Mohamed top scored with 34.
The Tigers were in trouble at 2-1, before slipping to 4-37.
There was little resistance from the Tigers’ tail as they were bowled out for 90.
Other winners on the first night of play included Haig Fawkner and Point Cook.
