By Tara Murray
The hard work has paid off for Sunshine United in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division, finally getting a win on the board.
The Tigers had been close a number of times during the season and on Saturday they finally got to taste that winning feeling against Airport West St Christophers.
Tigers captain-coach James Muirhead said there was a lot of excitement after the game and it was nice to finally have that win.
“It was a great result for all the hard work at training and doing the basics right,” he said. “You get success by doing the right things.
“There was a sort of relief. This season has been what we call character building season.
“It was a good performance by everyone. Everyone contributed whether with the bat or in the field.”
The Tigers had made 196 on day one of the match, being bowled out on the final ball.
Muirhead said anything close to 200 they backed their bowlers in to get the job done.
On Saturday, the Eagles were in trouble at 3-33 before they put on 50 for the fourth wicket.
Once that wicket fell it was all the Tigers, who took 7-26 to bowled the Eagles out for 111.
Nalin Amarathunga took four wickets, while Thomas O’Brien took three wickets.
“We needed to take all our catches and we took all our chances,” Muirhead said. “We fielded well and that led to us being successful with the ball.”
The Tigers still remain bottom after 10 rounds, but are now only six points behind Aberfeldie and Westmeadows with two rounds remaining. The bottom side is set for relegation.
The Tigers face Aberfeldie in their next match.
Muirhead said they weren’t looking at whether they would be relegated or not.
“We don’t talk about it,” he said. “We take each week as it comes and we come to play and win.
“If relegation is on the cards for us, that is what it is. We are just focusing on Aberfeldie.”
In other results, Deer Park was too strong for Sydenham-Hillside.
With both sides aiming to finish inside the top four, the result was a crucial one.
After day one of the match was called off, the Storm made 189 from its 40 overs.
Ishan Peiris top scored with 54. Fawad Ahmed and Allan Wise took three wickets each.
Aaron Ayre continued his good form to guide his side home in the 37th over with the Lions finishing 6-190.
Ayre made 89 not out.
The Lions sit in second spot, now a game clear of Sydenham-Hillside.
St Albans kept the pressure on the top four with a big win against Keilor.
Having made 8-310 on day one, the Saints bowled Keilor out for 136. Akila Isanka took five wickets for the Saints.
The Saints now sit in fifth spot, a game outside the top four. Keilor is in seventh on the same amount of points.
