Tara Murray
Caroline Springs is already putting lessons learned from the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Roy Picone Shield into place.
After a disappointing result in round three with their bats failing to fire, the Falcons find themselves in a good spot after day one against Kingsville.
After sending in Kingsville, the Falcons bowled them out for 167 within 62 overs on Saturday.
The Falcons will resume at 0-46.
Coach Ian Shattock said it was a pretty good performance on day one
“We had a strong bowling performance,” he said. “We had some tough patches throughout the day, but we kept pressing to bowl them out for 167.
“It was a really good bowling performance and we had a run out and we had a really good one-handed catch.
Braedon Mulheran and Roshan Laksiri took three wickets each for the Falcons.
The total is the same as the previous round against Gellibrand which they failed to chase down.
Shattock said they chatted after the Gellibrand game about how they needed to bat out that period.
“It was a little disappointing against Gellibrand as I thought we had bowled well,” he said. “We lost wickets early on day one.
“We couldn’t get a partnership going with Rukshan [Fernando], who was batting really well for us.
“We had a little bit of a chat about some things that we could do differently and the hard week that we needed to do.”
“This week was a lot better and we finished 0-46.”
Shattock said one of the most pleasing things out of Saturday’s performance was the spread of wicket takers they had after Jermaine Levy took five wickets the round before.
He said they were confident of getting the job done this Saturday with several good bats still in the shed
After a strong season last season, the Falcons have kept their core group together while adding some new faces. Shattock has also taken over as coach.
“Farrukh Shahzad has come across from Pascoe Vale and is a quality bat,” Shattock said.
“Rukshan [Fernando] has crossed from Maribyrnong Park, while we’ve got Jermaine Levy. They’re all fitting in well and they’re really good people.”
Shattock said the aim this season was to make finals again and build from there.
“That is the plan,” he said. “I think we have a good team and we want to get as many wins as we can especially early in the season and put ourselves in a good position.”
Meanwhile in senior division, Sydenham Hillside has continued its good form.
The Storm is 2-56 in reply to St Albans’ 167.
Anthony Alleyne took four wickets for the Storm.
In the Evans-Clark Shield, Melton South Royals are 0-1 after bowling Werribee Centrals out for 200.
Saman kumara Muthuwadige continued his good form, taking four wickets, while Praveen De Silva took five wickets.
In the Russell Pollock Shield, Melton Centrals are 4-59 in reply to Wyndham Vale’s 132.
Donnybrook made 136 against Burnside Springs United.
