Eager to atone for a first-up loss in the new year, Sunshine vented its frustrations on relegation-threatened Caroline Springs in a 181-run blitz in VTCA north A1 at Dempster Park on Saturday.
Twin centuries were just the tonic for the Crows as they erased the disappointment of the previous week’s loss to Moonee Valley.
Opening batsman Aiden Elkington (117) and captain Troy Stone (113) were the catalysts for a much better Crows showing with the bat as they powered to 4-300 off 40 overs to overwhelm the Caroline Springs total of 7-119.
Elkington and Stone, who came together with Sunshine’s score on 2-9, produced a match-winning 238-run partnership for the third wicket.
Earlier in the day, Sunshine’s bowlers were merciless in keeping Caroline Springs to just 2.97 runs an over. James Leach snared his 20th wicket of his first XI season en route to a team best 3-21 off seven overs.
Sunshine remains third on the ladder, but can move up to second with a win against Sunshine YCW in a derby at Dempster Park this Saturday.
YCW kept hold of second spot with a hard-fought 47-run win over East Coburg at Brearley Reserve on Saturday.
Sydenham-Hillside remains in the top four hunt after upsetting top side Moonee Valley in a low-scoring game at Hillside Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The Storm players must have felt like they were doomed when they were bowled out for 76, but they bounced back with the ball to have the Valleys out for 73.
In north-west division, St Albans moved into the top four with a 91-run thrashing of Keilor Park at Ray Davies Reserve.
All-rounder Simon Lambert was the star for the Saints with 4-7 off eight overs and 59 with the bat.
Sunshine United fell to fifth after losing a thriller by one run to Laverton, while PEGS’ finals aspirations took a hit with an eight-run loss to Seddon.
In north-west B1, Sunshine Heights has edged to within 0.04 points of the top four after beating St Andrews Pascoe Vale by eight runs, while Deer Park is firmly entrenched in the four after an eight-run win over Newport-Digman.
In west A1, Grand United skittled Gellibrand for 42, sewing up a 104-run win after a five-wicket haul from Wayne Donaldson.
In sub-district cricket, Taylors Lakes was sent packing from the top-six after a three-wicket loss to ladder leader Williamstown at Lionheart Reserve.
The Lions made a competitive 251 on day one after a stellar performance from Yoshan Kumara (89), but the Seagulls proved too strong despite Kumara backing up to take 5-43 off 17.2 overs.
