Tara Murray
Consistency is the key for Caroline Springs in the back half of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3 competition.
The Falcons have produced some really good results to have themselves in the finals mix, but have also let slip a couple of matches.
Falcons captain-coach Kevin McClean said it had been an up and down season so far. The Falcons sit seventh spot after nine rounds, 12 points outside the four.
“It’s been a season of half and half,” he said.
“It’s been up and down with a couple of close matches that we could have won.
“There’s two teams in the top four that we’ve beaten, but there’s two teams below us that we have lost to.
“It’s been topsy-turvy, but our destiny is still in our hands.”
McClean said this season had been a learning curve for everyone, with the side playing in division 3 for the first time.
He said the club was really focused on development and the long term success of the club.
“Every division has its different challenges,” he said. “We have to embrace the challenges and it’s about learning to play in division 3.
“We’ve always got support from the top and committee. We need to continue to play with passion and hopefully get some more wins on the board.”
The Falcons on Saturday returned to red ball cricket for the first time before COVID-19. McClean said it was a different challenge which opened up the possibility of different results.
Facing Pascoe Vale Hadfield, the Falcons made 8-231.
“It went pretty much OK,” he said.
“There’s always room for improvement. It’s a decent total and we should be able to defend that.”
Roshan Laksri was the star of the show.
Coming in at 3-34, he put on 108 to help the side reach a competitive total.
McClean said Laksri showed the others in the side how to bat in a two-day match.
“He’s an experienced guy,” he said. “He showed the younger ones that hard work and the dedication gets results. He got into the zone.
“It’s a lesson for all of us.”
McClean said they were confident of getting the wickets this weekend to get the win on the board.
In other matches, Sydenham-Hillside has a solid run chase on its hands in division 1 against Altona North.
Altona North were bowled out for 199 on the final ball of the day.
Tim Grech took three wickets for the Storm.
In division 5, Melton South Royals had a day out against Seabrook.
The Royals made 8-331 from their overs with Thiwanka Kekulawala top scoring with 121.
Burnside Springs is 1-23 in reply to Jacana’s 181.
Mathew Sanders and Tim Stephens took three wickets each for Burnside.
There was no play on the first day of the match between Melton Centrals and Wyndhamvale due to Melton council reprogramming the ground’s watering system.
