Tara Murray
St Albans kept its finals hopes alive, with Deer Park’s hopes suffering a setback and Keilor’s ended in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division.
With all but one team still in the finals mix heading into the second last round, every match had massive ramifications.
The Saints win against Keilor puts the Saints percentage outside the top four heading into the final round.
Having made 252 on day one, the Saints were able to restrict the Blues to 194.
Jarryd Clements was the star for the Blues, making 99 off 210 balls before being run out.
The Saints used just four bowlers with Geeth Alwis and Josh Morton taking four wickets each.
The Saints are now equal on points with Sunshine United, which lost to the Druids. The Tigers slipped from second to fourth with the loss.
The Tigers needed 280 for victory.
After a solid start the Tigers slipped from 2-104 to 6-121. The Tigers were able to put together one more solid partnership, but they couldn’t go on with it.
The Tigers were bowled out for 224 in the 77th over.
Daniel Raniolo top scored with 56 as several players made starts, without going on with it.
Deer Park’s finals hopes also suffered a setback with a loss to Aberfeldie.
Abers put 9-347 on day one, setting a massive target for the Lions.
At 4-56 the task looked difficult for the Lions and it was made harder when they slipped to 6-79.
The middle and lower order showed some resistance but the Lions were eventually bowled out for 275 with more than four overs remaining.
Fawad Malook top scored with 95 not out in the middle order.
The Lions now sit in eighth spot, having dropped below the Druids and St Albans.
The Lions are six points and percentage outside the top four.
In other matches, Yarraville Club was too strong for Craigieburn, while Haig Fawkner beat Westmeadows in the battle between top and bottom.
In division 1, Sydenham Hillside overcame a massive run chase against PEGS.
Storm coach Geoff Pretty said after day one they were looking forward to being tested.
“You need to be tested at times to get better,” he said. “It can’t be all smooth sailing, you don’t find out things that you need to work on.
“You learn more from a loss than a win and you learn more from being challenged than not being challenged.
“We’re still confident of getting the runs.”
Chasing 7-285, the Storm finished 3-302 with Ishan Peiris top scoring with 106 at the top of the order.
Sunshine suffered a loss to St Francis de Sales.
Chasing 278, the Crows were bowled out for 233.
Despite the loss, the Crows remain in third spot.
In division 3, Sunshine Heights lost to Glenroy, while Grand United was too strong for Caroline Springs.
In division 5, Sunshine YCW kept its finals hopes alive with victory against Jacana, while Burnside Springs beat Donnybrook in a reverse outright.
