Tara Murray
Deer Park couldn’t have asked for much more in the first half of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division.
Last season’s runners-up sit atop the table undefeated at the Christmas break, having put in some strong performances.
Coach Mick Andriadis said he was a happy coach at the moment.
“I can’t complain,” he said. “Had you told me we would be first at Christmas undefeated I would have been very happy with that.
“We have played well and stepped up at stages. We haven’t set the world on fire but we have been good enough to get the wins.
“We have had a favourable draw but we have batted really well.”
Andriadis said this season was turning into a batters season with his side no different. Having added Dean Russ and Daniel Sartori in the off-season, the Lions batting was always going to be their strength.
“We’ve batted well either chasing or putting a score on the board. Dean Russ, Dan Sartoti and Allan Wise have all fitted in nicely.”
On Saturday, the Lions faced the Druids in a one-day clash.
The Lions lost early wickets but were able to steady on the way to 7-206 from their 40 overs. Hashan Wanasekara top scored with 66.
The Wizards struggled to put partnerships together and were ultimately bowled out for 155 after the tail wagged.
Ricky Suvada and Fawad Malook took three wickets each.
Andriadis said the Wizards really put up a fight.
“They were good,” he said. “They gave us a little scare towards the end. They started well and restricted us in the first 12 overs.
“They then come home with a wet sail. They were seven down with two set batsmen needed 10-11 an over the last six or seven overs. They still had an outside chance.”
While content with the season so far, Andriadis knows there are still plenty of tests ahead of them.
It’s something they welcome.
“We play all the sides around the four and in the four,” he said. “Yarraville Club, Sydenham-Hillside, Aberfeldie and Keilor in a one-dayer in the first game after Christmas.
“We also play Sunshine United and St Albans. We play second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth,”
In other matches, Keilor locked in a top four spot with victory against Sunshine United.
Sunshine United made 9-176, with Matthew Sipala top scoring with 40 not out.
Malith Cooray took 5-37 off his eight overs.
Blues finished 3-180, 35.4 overs Cooray finished with 76 not out off 73 balls
St Albans fell just short against Aberfeldie.
Abers made 6-154 from its overs, with the Saints sharing the wickets around. The match went down to the final over, with the Saints bowled out for 148 on the final ball.
Ashen Abeykoon top scored with 40.
The Saints are in sixth spot.
Sydenham-Hillside continued its good form with a big win against Westmeadows. The Storm finished 2-147 in reply to the Warriors, 146.
The Storm sits in second spot.
