After just one match in the Victorian Sub-District cricket season, Sunshine is already looking like a vastly improved team.
After only three wins last season, the Crows got on the board with an opening-round victory on Saturday, defeating Coburg by five wickets.
Set 151 to win after day one at Dempster Park, Sunshine’s opening pair, Mark Brown and Sam Magnano, got the Crows off to a handy start with their 37.
But the real damage was done by middle-order batsman Sam Dutton, who came in at 3-89 and despatched the Coburg bowlers all over the field in a brilliant 92 off 99 balls.
The Crows went on to make 8-226 before the match was stopped.
Sunshine will chase back-to-back wins when it meets Kew in round two.
Elsewhere in the VSDCA, Melton lost by five wickets against Ivanhoe at MacPherson Park.
After winning the toss, the Lions made 171 from their 45 overs.
In his first match back since missing last season with a broken leg, Michael Allen made 28, but Nathan Geisler did most of the damage, top-scoring with 50.
Although the Lions kept things relatively tight when they bowled, they couldn’t get the wickets required and Ivanhoe reached the target in the 44th over.
Elsewhere, Keilor’s batting woes from last season returned in a tough loss to Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School in the VTCA.
The Blues were bowled out for 123 in just 37 overs after winning the toss and batting.
In reply, PEGS passed the target with the loss of three wickets.
In other north division results, Keilor Park beat Sunshine Druids and Spotswood got the better of Altona North.
