Harper Sercombe
Caroline Springs just keep winning in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Roy Picone Shield season.
The Falcons crushed Sunshine Heights on Saturday as they took to the field for the second day of their clash. While Heights avoided an outright defeat, the Falcons dominated the match.
After sending Heights in to bat, it could only put up a first innings score of 126 last week. The Falcons then were able to chase the runs down and add an extra 122 runs in just 37.4 overs thanks to a monster innings by captain-coach Shiran Rajakaruna, making 102 from 77 balls.
The Falcons then declared 6-248, before Sunshine Heights made 7-141 before time ran out.
Rajakaruna said although it wasn’t a full 10 points win, he was still happy with how his team performed.
“Coming into yesterday’s [Saturday’s] play, the intention was to bat for 10 to 15 overs and get 100 to 150 runs ahead and then send them straight back in which we did, to give us a good chance of getting an outright win,” he said. “We didn’t get the outright but we stuck to our plan and executed well.”
The Falcons currently sit clear at the top of the table, with the team’s batting dominance a major wrecking force of the competition.
“We’re in a pretty good position at the moment with what we are doing,” Rajakaruna said.
“The boys are in good spirits as well and the weekend’s performances are quite good as well. Individual performances aside, as a unit we play well, we play as a team and we get the results.
“We’re in good nick at the moment to say the least.”
With just three rounds to go, Rajakaruna is adamant on holding their spot to guarantee a home final.
“Home finals are the aim when you’re contending,” he said.
“We’ve had a pretty good run so far and the aim is to continue that form to the latter end of the season and put ourselves in good contention for finals cricket.”
On the weekend the Falcons are set to be tested by the Williamstown Imperials which sit second on the ladder, in a Saturday-Sunday clash.
The Imperials are coming off an outright win against Werribee Centrals.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge, it’s a good measuring stick for us to see where we’re at as well,” Rajakaruna said.
“We want to be playing these topsides to give us a good indication of where we’re at as a team and as a unit. So we’re looking forward to the challenge on the weekend.”
Meanwhile it was a tough day for Caroline Springs women’s side in their match with Westmeadows.
In a rematch of last season’s grand final, the Falcons had a day to forget.
The Falcons were bowled out for just 40 in 16.1 overs.
Amelia Sevior top scored with 13 and was the only player to score double figures.
The Warriors were in trouble early at 3-15 but were able to steady to get the runs in just 13 overs, finishing 6-41.
The Falcons remain on top of the table, now only nine points ahead of the Warriors.
