Sunshine YCW has no fear heading into the Victorian Turf Cricket Association finals series.
The club’s first XI is in second spot on the West B1 ladder and is looming as one of the main challengers to runaway leader Deer Park.
Still yet to lose a match, Deer Park is 14 points clear on top of the table and has scored a staggering 400 runs more than any other side.
But Sunshine is taking heart from its round seven hit-out against the Lions.
After being bowled out for 99, Sunshine had Deer Park 5-49 before a lower order partnership saved the day for the Lions.
YCW president Shaun Janetzki said there were plenty of positives to come out of the match.
“Even though that was a loss we learnt a lot,” he said.
“We were one wicket away from getting into their tail, which probably hasn’t batted much this year. They may have still gotten over the line but they haven’t been tested and that would have been our chance.”
No matter what happens for the rest of the season, this season has been one of improvement at Sunshine.
Last season the club finished a lowly seventh, winning four games.
A deep bowling line-up helped turn things around for YCW.
The four-pronged attack of Chris Armstrong, Tharanga Fernando, Arron Foster and Matthew Williams has combined for 52 scalps for the season.
Janetzki said the next step was to deliver knockout blows when sides were under pressure.
“We have had sides four or five or six down but approaching the tea break we just take our foot off the pedal a little bit,” he said.
In his first year at Sunshine, Fernando is staking a claim for the recruit of the season title. As well as his exploits with the ball, he has made 286 runs at an average of 35.
Janetzki said YCW had been blown away by Fernando’s exploits since he joined the club from East Warrnambool.
“When we signed him, all we had to go on were the stats on My Cricket,” Janetzki said. “He was playing down in Warrnambool and … he had been making a lot of runs.
“We took a punt. We knew he could bowl and we needed a spinner … as it has turned out, he is more than doing the job for us and showing just how impressive he is.”
Sunshine will take on Footscray ANA and Williamstown Imperials in its final two home and away matches of the season.
Liam Twomey
