By Tara Murray
Keilor Park is on the right track in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Roy Picone Shield.
Having dropped a division after last season, the Devils were keen to find their feet in division 3 and continue to build up.
The club’s top side entered the Christmas break in fifth spot, six points outside the top four.
Coach Robbie Roach said they had been really happy with the first half of the season.
“It’s been pretty good,” he said. “We entered another side as we got a few players across from Glenroy.
“We got Dean [Gila] and Trent [Thomson] back as well and the ones have started off the year well. They’ve had a bit of a rough patch with the batting as we find the right mix in our side.
“The ones are in contention to play finals.”
Roach said it was always a challenge when you dropped down a grade and their first aim was to make sure they didn’t do the double drop.
He said if they were to make finals it would be a bonus on what they were hoping for heading into the season.
“You only have to have one bad week and you can be in trouble,” he said. “Our main focus is staying where we are and pushing for the top four.
“It’s a bonus for us to play finals. For us it’s about getting the right people in and the right culture.
“It takes time and we’re only in the second year of a five year plan.”
Roach said they had confidence that they would find the right balance in their batting line in the back part of the season and get some more wins on the board.
He said their second XI had started to find form and got their first win of the season, while their third side, which is a development side, has been their most consistent side this season.
“They keep going from strength to strength,” he said of the third XI.
Roach said they would need some luck if their second XI was to make finals, while they were hoping the third XI would get a few wins on the board before the season is out.
The Devils first XI return to action on Saturday on the first day of a two-day clash with Moonee Valley.
Moonee Valley is in the top four having come up from division 4 this season.
Roach said many of the playing group had never played against Moonee Valley.
“They played off in a grand final last year,” he said. “It will be another tough one.
“We are taking it week in, week out and trying not to worry about any other results.
“We want to be competitive and do our best to make sure we are successful.”
