By Lance Jenkinson
Keilor has pulled off an upset win over Yarraville Club on the road at Hansen Reserve to keep its Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division finals chances alive.
The Blues entered the round second last on the ladder knowing only a win would suffice if they are to keep their finals flame flickering.
They got the job done in impressive fashion, winning a thriller by nine runs. Keilor overcame a shaky start to compile a strong 9-211 off 40 overs.
At 2-3, the Blues looked in all sorts, but a steadying 98-run partnership between Daniel Stavris (45) and top scorer Mitchell Jamieson (55) got the innings back on track, taking the score beyond 100.
Stavris was the first of the partners to return to the pavilion, while not long after Jamieson joined him and again Keilor’s innings looked in strife.
Enter Nasir Malik (52) and Callum Guest (22), who combined for a crucial 73-run stand to reach 185 before they were broken up.
Some valuable late runs from the tail gave the Keilor bowlers just enough to defend.
Yarraville Club also made a rough start to its innings, losing their first three wickets for just 26.
Dinesh Daminda finished with 4-31.
The Clubbers’ middle order made inroads into the target, led by Andrew Cullen (64), Connor Poulton (41) and Adam Contessa (54).
However, Keilor’s bowlers hit back and managed to snare the 10 wickets needed for victory.
Sunshine United has fallen to nine points outside the top four after a seven-run loss to Haig Fawkner. The Tigers were set 206 for victory, but fall short of the required run rate, finishing on 7-198.
In division 1 west, Deer Park missed it chance to break into the top four, losing by 18 runs to Airport West-St Christophers. In division 2, second-placed Sunshine cruised to a 114-run win over Keilor Park. L
