Keilor has no choice but to push for a win when its Victorian Turf Cricket Association grand final against Druids resumes on Saturday.
The Blues trailed by two runs on first innings after an action-packed weekend in the north-west division decider at Morris McDonald Oval, meaning a drawn match will hand victory to Druids.
Keilor made an ideal start to the four-day match on Saturday, ripping through Druids’ top order after winning the toss and sending them in.
But Druids’ late order fought back to take the total from 8-113 to 159 all out in the 70th over.
In reply, Keilor came agonisingly close to securing a first-innings lead before being bowled out for 157.
With 16 overs still left in the day’s play, Druids returned to the middle and reached 1-16 at stumps to lead by 18.
Keilor coach Sean McManus acknowledged honours were relatively even.
“It was disappointing not to be able to get the runs,” he said.
“We didn’t focus on just trying to get the runs, we wanted to build a big score. Unfortunately, that didn’t eventuate.
“It’s a two-innings game now and we’re looking forward to coming back and getting into it again next weekend.”
Keilor’s danger man with the ball again appears to be quick bowler Dan Schuppan.
Fresh from a bag of seven wickets in his side’s semi-final win, Schuppan claimed a five-wicket haul from 24 overs on Saturday.
He was well supported by first XI captain Kaushal Lokuarachchi, who finished with three big scalps and kept the runs down throughout his spell.
“Dan Schuppan was outstanding again,” McManus said, “and “Kaushal bowled a really tight and long spell when we needed it.
“They applied pressure at both ends, but the Druids really knuckled down in their eighth and ninth-wicket stands.”
The big wicket the Blues will be chasing on Saturday will be Druids captain Shane Windridge, who top-scored with 49 in the first innings and was a steadying influence in the middle order.
“We need to bowl well, bowl tight and make runs hard to come by,” McManus said.
“We will be doing everything we can to get out there and play positive cricket next weekend.”
Meanwhile, it was a nightmare weekend for St Albans and Taylors Lakes in their North A1 grand final.
Not one ball was bowled throughout the weekend because of a wet outfield at Willowbrook Reserve in Westmeadows.
The scheduled four-day match will now revert to a two-day fixture to be played this weekend.
A new venue will be confirmed early in the week.
