Tara Murray
Grand United is hoping a strong back end to the regular season will put in a good spot for the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3 finals.
The Gorillas sit second on the ladder, having played some really good cricket before the break.
While the batters have struggled getting back into the longer format of the game, things are looking nice for the side.
Speaking before the weekend, Gorillas coach Sam Crea knows that they can’t take anything for granted.
“Obviously before Christmas we were quite happy to be sitting second,” he said. “We’ve put in a lot of hard work to be in a good position to ramp things up as we head to finals.
“It’s a tight race in division 3. Sunbury is sitting nine points back in fifth and it’s a logjam. There’s a big chance if we drop some games we miss out on finals.”
Crea said they had been happy with how they played in the one-day games, but that form with the bat was yet to be transferred into the two-day games.
They lost their first two day game, while their second two-day game was eventually poised after day one.
“Red ball cricket is completely different,” he said.
“We didn’t nail the first two-day game and we were bowled out in 60 overs.
“Bowling wise we have been up to standard, but our batting hasn’t been. We need to start nailing that before the end of the season.”
Crea said they were sticking with the same positive mindset with the bat, no matter the length of the game.
He said at times they need to bat the situation and try and bat out the whole 80 overs.
The Gorillas were set to be in action on Saturday in the second half of their game against Sunbury,
But rain had other ideas, with the match ending in a draw with no action on day two.
On day one, the Roar was bowled out for 125. The Gorillas finished the day at 4-35.
Crea said it was a day of two halves in a massive match in the context of the season.
“We were happy to restrict them to 125,” he said. “To be 4-35 though was quite disappointing.
“They have nothing to lose and we know they’re going to come out hard.
“They bowl like we do, in good spots.”
He said they had several sides still in the finals mix, which is what they had been hoping for at this time of the year.
He said they were also looking ahead to next season.
“There’s strong commitment,” he said. “We’re talking to a few people for next year.
“We’ve got big plans for the next two to three years to build the club and move up the grades.
“We want to be competing in senior division within five to 10 years.”
