By Tara Murray
Caroline Springs couldn’t have asked for much more from the first part of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Roy Picone Shield season.
The Falcons were atop the table at the Christmas break, one of four teams with a 3-1 record as well as having had three games called off.
Falcons coach Ian Shattock said he was really happy with how the season was panning out.
“‘I think we’ve had a really good start,” he said. “The only disappointing game was against Gellibrand.
“Every other game we’ve played well, even the washout games we were in strong positions.
“We’re really happy with how we are doing.”
Shattock said there was naturally some motivation from last season’s finals defeat driving the side, but said it was a different group this season.
He said the biggest thing for the side had been they were playing as a team and not relying on one of two people to get the job done.
“The boys have improved on last year,” he said. “It’s a new bunch of boys and everyone is contributing and connected to what we are doing.
“We’ve been playing as a team. Rukshan [Fernando] made a couple of 100s in a row, but we’ve been sharing it around.”
Shattock highlighted Flynn Rice as one of the big improvers this season.
Rice came through the ranks at the Falcons.
“He has come on leaps and bounds,” he said. “He batted a bit lower last year, but he’s moved up the order and played fantastically this year.
“He has been a highlight to watch.”
Shattock said Braedon Mulheran, who has come back to the club this season, was another younger one performing well as part of a good mix of young guys and experienced guys in the side.
The Falcons are set to face Point Cook Centrals on Saturday on day one of their two-day clash.
The Sharks are equal on points with the Falcons.
“It’s the first time we have played them,” Shattock said. “It will be interesting to see what their strengths are.
“We’ve played everyone else.
“The key is to keep it going how we have been going in making runs and keep having partnerships.”
Shattock said across the club things were going well with their second XI also near the top of the ladder.
The Falcons women are also on top of the ladder.
The undefeated side is set to be back in action on Sunday against Maribyrnong Park St Marys.
