By Charlene Gatt
A DAY ONE batting collapse has all but handed Croydon match points after Sunshine amassed one of its lowest innings of the Victorian Sub District Cricket Association East/West season.
Winning the toss, the cellar dwellers went into bat and were quick to fall under the wrath of bowlers Ash Hamer (4/29) and Scott Wilson (4/34) to be dismissed for 114.
Troy Stone top scored with 36.
Wilson proved an equally formidable force when Croydon took to the bat and posted 40 to see the side reach 4/84 at stumps.
Sunshine coach Daryl Craig said Sunshine’s form with the bat has been a major factor in what has turned into a frustrating season.
“(To get) 114 isn’t enough. It was a very disappointing day with the bat,” he said.
“Basically it all comes down to the application of batsmen getting in and trying to develop a partnership and we couldn’t get momentum going and constant fall of wickets makes that very difficult to do.”
With only a month to go until the semi finals, Craig is tipping ladder leaders Williamstown to take the crown.
“I certainly believe Williamstown will go close to back to back here, they’ve got a lot of ex-district and high quality players and they’ll certainly be a side that everyone will be trying to knock over.”
But Williamstown will need to lift its game after similarly paltry innings against Mt. Waverley over the weekend.
Williamstown were bowled out for 127 thanks to a Myles Harry (4/23) onslaught, while Mt. Waverley reached 0/40 at day’s end.
In other VSDCA action, Bayswater made 8/245 against Broadmeadows, Altona were bowled out for an abysmal 50 runs and rain called off the Melton v Werribee clash.
