Thrill of victory … Keilor Park’s Adam Price hit the winning runs in his side’s win over Hoppers Crossing. 59476 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Dejan Kalinic
KEILOR Park took a first innings win with a fine batting display in its important North Division clash against Hoppers Crossing in the Victorian Turf Cricket Assoc-iation.
The Parkers, who bowled their visitors out for 186 on day one, fought past their target before being dismissed for 206.
Captain-coach Andrew Murden said the fight shown by his players under pressure late in the day was crucial in securing the six points.
“We played a good side, we got challenged and we were never really home and hosed,” he said.
“We were in a good position and then they got a couple of quick wickets after tea and we fought back. In the past, when we were under pressure we tended to fold and lose games when we should’ve won but we fought on.”
The home side was cruising at 4/141 at tea, before wickets fell quickly to slow the chase and tighten up the game.
At 8/167, opening bowler Adam Price came to the crease, was dropped on the boundary one run later before striking a very quick 29 to reach the target.
Hoppers Crossing captain-coach Trent Said rued at least two missed chances, including that of Price.
“We bowled really well, our general fielding was really good but we put down two chances that could have been the difference and got us across the line,” Said said.
Gavin McCallum (3/37) and Brodie Andrew (2/24) were the pick of the bowlers Said felt performed well on the second day, but said his team’s total was about 40 runs below par.
“I couldn’t have really asked for much more from our bowlers,” Said said.
“Keilor Park made more of the wicket earlier than what we did last week and that was probably the big difference. We probably needed 220 or 230, not 186.”
Keilor Park is still fighting for a finals spot and Murden said the result shows his team is maturing.
“We’ve been in situations like that a lot of times and thrown it away. I’m nervous until we pass them to be honest so it was good to get over the line,” Murden said.
“As good as the win was, we’ve still got a lot of improvement.”
After bowling Keilor Park out, the Cats reached 3/66 in their second dig with the bat.
Altona North kept the pressure on Hoppers Crossing in the battle for top spot after an outright win against Westmeadows.
After declaring at 9/173, Altona North skittled Westmeadows for 52 to record a 31-run victory.
Sunshine Druids took the points at home to Strathmore, bowled out for 160 in response to the 134 made by the visitors.
Sunshine United missed out on outright points against Werribee Centrals as the visitors held on and bat-ted through its overs on day two.
Doutta Stars recorded a first innings win against Moonee Valley, before charging to 8/119 at almost eight runs an over late on the second day.
