VTCA: Keilor Park stays unbeaten with win over Laverton

Keilor Park remains in top spot in Victorian Turf Cricket’s north division after smashing Laverton on Saturday.

The Devils set up the win with the ball on the first day, dismissing Laverton for just 129 in the 52nd over.

Jarrod Freckleton and Robert Jones were the pick of the Keilor Park bowlers, taking three wickets each to give their side the ascendancy.

Despite the early loss of Justin Van Niekerk for three, the Devils were never in danger of falling short of the total when play resumed on day two.

Keilor Park was led by a brilliant first-wicket partnership between Jones and club captain Andrew Barlow, the pair each posting half-centuries while sending the bowlers to all parts of Laverton Park to secure the win.

After Jones was eventually dismissed for 76 and Barlow’s innings ended on 69, Ashtyn McIntyre (44) and Glen Walker (31) continued the onslaught before Keilor Park was wrapped up for 257 in the 99th over.

Laverton used 10 bowlers, the best of whom was Matthew Bunting with 3-34 from his 11 overs.

The result leaves Keilor Park as the only unbeaten side in north division.

In a huge match this week, the Devils will take on second-placed Doutta Stars, who will go into the clash full of confidence after pulling off an outright win against Keilor last week.

In a match where both sides’ batsmen struggled to survive, Keilor trailed by 13 on first innings.

Needing a big score in their second dig, the Blues got off to a disastrous start, slumping to 5-27.

A middle-order partnership between Upal Bandara and Shaun Guerra added 46, but when they were dismissed the remaining wickets fell quickly.

Keilor was bowled out for 109, setting Doutta Stars 97 to win.

For the first time in the match a batting side was able to look comfortable at the crease and the Stars brought up the win for the loss of just four wickets.

After four rounds, Keilor now has two outright wins, one outright loss and a first innings loss.

The Blues will take on competition strugglers Royal Park/Brunswick this weekend.