Caroline Springs remains focused on playing its best cricket at the right time of the year in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Roy Picone Shield.
Not for the first time in recent seasons, the Falcons have been on top at the Christmas break.
While happy with how the season has gone this season, Falcons coach Ian Shattock said they weren’t content.
“We’re happy with where we’re at, but we’ve been in this position before the last couple of years,” he said.
“We want to keep to the game plan and we want to ride the whole way through finals and we’re determined to go one game better than last year.
“We’ve changed a few things this year. Salman Afridi is a handy batter who has added to our side.
“We’ll put our best foot forward.”
The Falcons resumed their season on Saturday in a two-dayer against the Greenvale Kangaroos at Caroline Springs Town Oval.
Winning the toss for the first time this season, the Falcons batted and finished the day at 250. They were bowled out with three and bit overs remaining.
Shattock said the big focus of their game plan was to put runs on the board and then make it hard for the opposition to chase down.
“It was a good day,” Shattock said.
“The ground was slow and there was plenty of long grass in the outfield. We were happy with 250.
“Salman Afridi batted beautifully all day and had a day out with 100.
“Gavin McCallum made some runs and our captain Roshan [Laksiri] played a super valuable innings after we lost a couple of wickets to steady us.”
Afridi finished with 103 while Laksiri make a half century.
Shattock said the Kangaroos are a tricky side to play with some experienced bowlers who could bowl in the right spots.
“They made us work for it,” he said.
The Falcons focus this week would be to continue to stick to their strengths with the ball and make sure they’re bringing their spinners into the game as they look for another win.
Shattock said the aim for the club this season was to have all their sides playing finals.
He said they were all in a good spot heading into the back few games, with their second XI also in a good spot after day one of its clash with the Kangaroos.
Meanwhile, the Falcons women’s side got their first win of the season on Sunday.
The combined Caroline-Burnside Springs side was able to account for Point Cook.
Carol Williamson was the star of the show as she made 56 not out at the top of the order to guide her side to 5-118.
They were then able to restrict Point Cook to 4-48 from its 20 overs.
Williamson took two wickets.
The win moves the combined side off the bottom of the ladder.
Shattock said it was exciting for the side which was different to the team they’ve had in recent seasons.
