By Tara Murray
Keilor’s bowlers left Yarraville Club stunned as they inflicted the Clubbers first loss of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division season.
The Clubbers entered the day of the match on Saturday on top, but it was the Blues that would come away with the points.
The Clubbers resumed at 0-19 in reply to the Blues’ 166.
Outside of Thilina Masmulla and Trent Lawford, the Clubbers bats failed to fire as they were bowled out for 136 in the 56th over.
Blues coach Duncan Harrison said as a coach you never think you have enough runs on the board, but he thought they were about 100 short of where they needed to be.
“It was a very good day,” he said. “The boys bowled really well.
“Whether we won or lost, we competed really well, which was the important thing.”
The Blues were able to take wickets in clumps, which put the pressure back on the Clubbers.
Harrison said they had fielded really well and had been building towards a performance like that and were able to put everything together on the day.
He said the key for them was getting out Lawford, who top scored with 56.
“It was massive,” he said. “He is that player that can take the game away in two or three overs.
“We never felt safe when he was batting. We dropped him early on, which was disappointing.”
Jonah Koch took 4-21 for the Blues while Malith Cooray took three wickets.
Harrison said they would take a lot out of that performance.
“We talk about being hard to beat,” he said. “The good thing is we are improving and against the good teams you want to stand up.”
The win moves the Blues to fifth spot.
They are 12 points behind the top four teams, which are all equal on points.
Harrison said they weren’t looking too far ahead of themselves and where they might finish.
“A couple of weeks ago we were going the other way,” he said. “Finals are still in reach and you hope you can make them.
“We’re looking to get through game by game and see where it leaves us. We play some good sides in the run home.
“We want to finish off the season positively and play good cricket regardless of the results and where it leaves us.”
The Blues face bottom side Sunshine United in a one-dayer this Saturday.
Harrison said it would be a good contest.
The Tigers came into the match following a loss to Deer Park.
On Saturday, the Tigers resumed at 0-21 in reply to 224. The Tigers struggled to get partnerships going as they were bowled out for 168.
Matthew Sipala and Buddhika Algewatta top scored with 33 apiece. Fawad Ahmed and Upul Bandara took three wickets each.
In other matches, Sydenham-Hillside beat Craigieburn.
After making 6-305, the Storm was able to bowl Craigieburn out for 249.
Timothy Grech and Sanka Ramesh Abeyruwan took three wickets each.
St Albans lost against Airport West St Christophers but was able to avoid an outright win.
