St Albans could finish the summer on a three-game winning streak and still be relegated from the Victorian Turf Cricket Association north A1.
The Saints are in the box seat on the road against finals-chasing Aberfeldie at Clifton Park, needing just 34 runs to take first-innings points with a full day to play.
Tom Langley-Dunn (four wickets), player-coach Andrew Pizaro and Robbie Nikolic (three each) were like kryptonite for the Abers batsman, who perished for a sub-par 120 before the Saints cruised to 2-87 by the close.
“Our bowling has probably been our genuine strength for the whole year,” Pizaro said. “Today was a great effort because of the wicket. It was batsmen-friendly and if you were prepared to stay in, it was going to be hard to get you out.
“Our fielding was excellent too, so it was an all-round good effort today.”
The Saints could be the next victim of the north A1 four up, four down policy as they entered the final round third last and in need of a miracle to survive.
But relegation is not a dirty word for Pizaro as he believes for the Saints may need to take one step backwards to take two forwards.
They blooded a host of youngsters this season after a handful of experienced heads left and only now are they finding their feet. It may be too late to save the Saints this summer but the benefits will come down the track.
“Whatever happens, happens, if we get relegated, we get relegated,” Pizaro said.
“We lost four players from last year and some were big losses.
“But young guys have been able to step up and have a genuine go.
“We’ve handed out first XI caps to something like nine or 10 debutants, so in terms of the future of the club, that’s a good thing.
“In 10, 12, 15 years, the club could have two or three premierships, maybe more, because of the fact they’ve had to blood guys this year.”
For the Saints to survive, they will almost certainly have to beat Aberfeldie outright, and hope both St Francis de Sales and Werribee Centrals lose heavily on Saturday.
