Tara Murray
Sydenham-Hillside isn’t giving up hope in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division grand final, despite being on the back foot after the first weekend.
Deer Park went in as favourites after being the top side all season and are one step closer to claiming the title after the first two days of play.
The Lions batted first and were able to make 225 in the 92nd over despite some of their key batters like Dean Russ, Daniel Sartori and Keon Harding failing to have an impact.
Gayashan Weerasekara was the star with the ball for the Storm, taking 7-47 off 19.1 overs.
The Storm got into trouble early and struggled to put partnerships together with the middle order failing.
The Storm managed to get to 8-141 at stumps, still needing another 75 runs for a first innings victory.
Storm skipper Anthony Alleyne will be the key on day two, as he resumes at 76 not out.
Storm president Bob Kunesevic said they know that there is a task ahead of them.
“We are under no illusions and they are a quality side,” he said. “We will play the whole 320 overs right to the end.
“There’s still a long way to go and there’s a lot of cricket to go and funny things can happen.”
Kunesevic said there’s a lot of belief in the group having won four premierships in the past five seasons heading into this season.
“Over the years we’ve found a way to win, the mood is still up and there’s still that belief,” he said.
“We were 6-100 last year against St Francis chasing the same total. There’s a lot of positive energy around the place.”
The positivity is shared by players Adrian Neill and Alex Barlas. Barlas is the other not out batter on two.
Barlas said his aim was to try and stick with Alleyne.
“The last two batters will look to support him and get him on strike and get the singles,” he said.
“That’s the tactic heading into day two.”
Neill said they were still confident with plenty of time left in the game.
“We still have three batters left and about 80 to get,” he said. “All the pressure is on them, it’s their final to lose and for us to win.
“The group just keeps finding a way to win. There’s been games this season where we’ve been down and out and found a way to win.”
Meanwhile, there was premiership glory for the Storm’s women’s side on Sunday in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association.
Playing in the division 1 competition, the Storm made light work of Brunswick in the decider.
After restricting Brunswick to 7064, the Storm chased down the runs in 7.5 overs, finishing 1-69.
