Sunshine will again have to go big with the bat if it is to claim the points in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Isaacs Howarth Shield competition.
The Crows have had to attempt to chase down some big runs this season and it will be no different on Saturday on day two of their match with the Altona Roosters.
The Roosters who have struggled so far, fired on Saturday with the bat to put the pressure back on the Crows.
Crows captain-coach Troy Stone said it seems to be the story of the season.
“It seems like we like chasing and chasing big totals,” he said.
“We have to be up for the chase on Saturday. I’m not sure whether it’s good wickets or just players coming out and playing their shots and it has been working.
“We go for it as well. We tend to get bowled out or get the runs.”
Stone said the Roosters were able to put on runs late to push the score past 300 late in the piece.
He said it was disappointing to allow the Roosters to put on 30 for the final wicket and push the score to 317.
Ashen Abeykoon took five wickets for the Crows.
Stone said they still had a lot of work to come especially in their bowling as they struggled to get wickets with the new ball and put the pressure on the side with the bat.
“You don’t win many games when you are chasing 300,” he said. “We made 280 chasing and we lost and made 219 and lost as well.
Stone said they know what to expect from the Roosters with the ball, with the two sides having already played each other this season. The Crows won that match up.
He said each week they had been hoping a big run chase would kick start their season but it hasn’t happened yet.
The Crows, who made last season’s grand final, sit 2-2 to start this season.
Stone said their best was still to come.
“The group has not quite gelled,” he said.
“We have six or seven new players and it’s never easy. We’re all getting along and everything off field.
“We just need to get it right on the field.
“After Christmas we felt like we would be in the best position.
“We need to bank some wins now to have a chance to play finals.”
In other matches, Sunshine United had a good out against Oak Park St Francis de Sales.
The Saints made 171 with Toby Porter doing the job with the ball for the Tigers, finishing 8-39.
The Tigers will resume at 1-26.
In senior division, Deer Park has surprisingly conceded first innings points against Airport West St Christophers.
The Lions were bowled out for 120 with the Eagles finishing the day at 8-168
Elsewhere, Aberfeldie made 6-163 against Sydenham-Hillside, St Albans is chasing Westmeadows’ 5-433 and Keilor made 215 against Yarraville Club.
