Sydenham-Hillside is working hard to make sure it locks in a finals spot in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division.
Having made the finals every season it’s been in the top flight, the Storm entered the mid-season break in sixth spot.
It was six points outside the top four and nine points from top spot.
But a loss on Saturday to Airport West St Christopher’s as seen the side slip to nine points outside of the top four.
Speaking after day one of the clash with the Eagles, Storm coach Anthony Alleyne said the first half of the season had been OK.
“It’s not too bad a start to the year,” he said.
“We dropped a few games where we should have got points from but we are still right there.
“The team is working really hard and hopefully we come back and play some good matches.”
Alleyne said the rain interrupting the first half of the season had been tricky with game plans having to change as matches have been shortened.
“The two-day games mean more time in the middle and more time on the park,” he said.
“We’ve had to adapt game plans and it has been a bit inconsistent.
“We’re not exactly where we want to be but we’re not in the worst position. We’re in and amongst it and if you look at the table there’s quite a few teams on similar points.
“We will look to grab points where we can.”
The Storm resumed their season in a two-dayer against Airport West St Christopher’s on Saturday.
Sydenham-Hillside won the toss and decided to bat.
It made 231 as it was bowled out with five overs remaining.
Alleyne finished 92 not out off 189 balls.
“The game swung in the balance towards the end of the day,” he said. “We lost too many wickets towards the end of the day.
“We’ll have to bounce back and bowl well this week.”
The Eagles survived two overs at the end of day one and resumed at 0-8.
The Eagles never looked in trouble in the run chase and made the runs with nearly seven overs to spare.
Airport West finished 4-235.
Alleyne was the only multiple wicket taker with two.
In other results, Keilor got an outright win against Craigieburn.
Craigieburn was bowled out for 99 in reply to the Blues 151.
The Blues quickly made 2-145 and sent the Eagles back in. The Eagles were bowled out for 89 to give Keilor all 10 points.
Deer Park had a big win against Aberfeldie.
