Tara Murray
Keilor Park will know where it really sits in the next couple of matches in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 2.
The Devils entered the two-dayer phase of the competition in seventh spot, but in a close competition are still within touch of the top four.
With just four matches left, the Devils know they need be on the winning side of things for the rest of the season.
Devils president David Tardio said while their season wasn’t on the line just yet, points in the next two games were really important.
“We’ve had a lot of positives this season,” he said. “We would have liked to have a couple more wins heading into the second half of the season.
“We’re sitting outside the top four at the moment. We’ll see what happens in this game and the next game is also a must win.”
Tardio said the group had come back well from the Christmas break and put in some good work on the track.
The Devils are in the middle of their first two-day match since before COVID-19 against Newport-Digman.
Day two of the match Is set to be played on Saturday .
Tardio said it has been an interesting return to the longer format of the game. The Devils were missing a couple of key players in both their first and second XIs for this round of matches, but are expecting to be at full strength for the rest of the season.
“The weather was always going to play a pretty big part,” he said.
“The first two-dayer is exciting and we were expecting a lower score than normal to be honest with the transition back into that format.”
Day one of the match with Newport-Digman was for the bowlers.
Newport-Digman was bowled out for 94 in the 53rd over.
The Devils had to face 24 overs and found themselves in trouble late in the day. The Devils will resume at 5-46.
Tardio said despite being on the back foot in the run chase, they were still confident of getting the job done.
“To have them where they get them is really good,” Tardio said of day one.
“With the ball we were very happy. We have a bit of work to do with the bat, but we’re quietly confident.
“We’ve got 40 off runs to get. We have a deep batting line up, but cricket is a funny game.”
In the other matches set to resume on the weekend Williamstown CYMS needs 250 against West Newport, Altona Roosters are 13 runs from a first innings lead against Kingsville, St Andrews Pascoe Vale resumes at 4-49 against Footscray United and the Greenvale Kangaroos are chasing Royal Park-Brunswick’s 217.
