SUNSHINE was only a whisker away from celebrating its first Victorian Sub District Cricket Association win for season 2006-07 on Saturday.
The Crows fell agonisingly short in their run chase against Kingston Saints by only 11 runs in what would have been one of the most remarkable victories in the South/West season so far.
Set a daunting target of 336, Sunshine made 324 in a gripping finish.
Number three batsman Troy Stone was brilliant with 93, caught just short of triple figures, while Sunny Singh’s credentials were further improved with a fine middle order contribution of 64.
When Singh departed Sunshine was in the box seat to cause an upset at 6/291, but lost its last four wickets for 33 runs.
Stuart Hensley threw his bat at the end of the innings and made a brave 19, but once again it was not the Crows’ day.
Despite the loss, Sunshine’s batting performance was by far its best of the season, and it will need a repeat effort in the last two-week match before the break, against Caulfield.
It was a similar story for Sunshine’s second XI, which was defeated by Kingston on the first innings.
The Saints were 1/80 chasing the Crows’ first innings tally of 133, before passing the target and declaring at 5/220. Sunshine fought off an outright loss, ending the day at 6/137.
