Tara Murray
Sunshine YCW is continuing to take it one week at a time in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Evans-Clark Shield.
Last season’s division 5 premiers, the Cougars have won their two matches that have been completed so far, while they are in a strong position against Seabrook.
Cougars secretary Rory O’Connor said they’ve been able to build into the season.
“It has been a solid start,” he said. “The first week was washed out and now we’ve got back-to-back wins.
“We’ll take as many wins as we can, but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves. We’re looking at the next game and the next opposition up and how we can better ourselves.”
Having added a number of players in the off season, O’Connor said they had been impressed with how they had fitted into the side.
He said Bailey Williams and Wil Tuohey had started off a bit scratchy with the bat but were starting to find some form.
Connor Marum already has a five wicket haul to his name.
“They have improved what they are able to contribute,” he said. “Some of the other guys that were already there are playing well too.
Heshan Umendra has been batting really well and stepped up and Matty Williams has been playing well with the way they’re supporting the new guys.”
On Saturday, the Cougars were in action on day one of their clash with Seabrook, which they beat in the division 5 grand final last season.
Seabrook decided to bat in hot conditions with the Cougars bowling them out for 165.
The Cougars shared the wickets, with Max Weise taking three wickets and three players taking two wickets.
The Cougars will resume at 0-24 with Usman Quddusi 12 not out and Tuohey eight not out.
O’Connor said they were in a good position heading into day two.
He said the group wanted to continue the momentum they had early in the season.
“Last year we spoke about being undefeated at Christmas,” he said. “If we were to be successful in achieving that at Christmas time we would feel like in a really good position to play in March.
“It’d be a really good achievement having only come up this year.”
O’Connor said things were going well across the club with plenty of numbers of the track each week.
He said a lot of boxes were being ticked off the field.
Meanwhile in the senior division, Deer Park was bowled out for 172 against Yarraville Club.
The Clubbers will resume at 4-53.
Keilor was bowled out for 245 by Aberfeldie in the final over of the day. Jarryd Clements top scored with 43.
St Albans is 0-27 in reply to Westmeadows 225.
Sydenham Hillside is in control against Sunshine United, 0-55 in reply to 152.
Anthony Alleyne took four wickets for the Storm.
