Craigieburn humiliate previously undefeated VTCA Division 1 leader Deer Park

Craigieburn has announced itself as a VTCA Division 1 premiership contender after humbling previously undefeated Deer Park.

Michael Bury in action for Craigieburn. Picture: Mark Wilson

Craigieburn has announced itself as a genuine VTCA Division 1 premiership threat after dismantling previous undefeated Deer Park on Saturday.

The Eagles skittled the ladder leaders for just 64 in a mesmerising display of bowling to defend 7-115 and claim a 51-run victory at Aitken Reserve.

Last year’s Division 1 North semi-finalist has quietly gone about its business this season and sits second on run-rate, a game behind the Lions.

“We’re quite happy to fly under the radar at the moment,” Craigieburn coach Chris Laffan said.

“Things probably aren’t going quite as great as we’d like with the bat but that leaves plenty of room to improve as we push towards finals.

Michael Bury in action for Craigieburn. Picture: Hamish Blair

“Competition is extremely even up the top (of the ladder) this season and we know one-day games can be danger games every week.

“We feel we put in a lot of hard work before Christmas, we often say wins before Christmas are gold and we’ve got five sides sitting in the top two at the moment.

“That creates a healthy competitive culture at training, we’re getting 40-50 most nights, and it allows our First XI to produce their best.

After being sent in on a damp track, Craigieburn were in early trouble at 1-5 and had collapsed to 7-77 when Nathan Pappin joined skipper Michael Bury in the middle.

However, the pair steadied the ship and guided the home team to 7-115 with Bury and Pappin unbeaten on 35 and 21 respectively.

“It was a really good show by the boys and in conditions that certainly didn’t favour us having to bat first.

Daniel English in action for Craigieburn.

“The region got a lot of rain on Friday and the wickets were quite wet and we had some quite tough conditions to navigate through early on.

“I’m really proud of the way our guys nutted their way through and put up a score we thought we could defend with our attack.

Deer Park were in trouble from the beginning falling to 6-34 as Daniel English (3-8) and Zac Orr (2-6) ran riot.

Lions captain Ricky Suvada was the only man to reach double figures before falling for 24.

After a critical knock with the bat, Bury returned with the ball to claim 4-8 and complete Deer Park’s humiliation.

“The way the wicket played we believed we could defend it, we knew it was going to do a little bit especially with the new ball,” Laffan said.

VTCA: MOUGHANIE BREAKS EIGHT-YEAR WAIT FOR TON

LEADER: GET YOUR LOCAL CRICKET NEWS HERE

GDCA: RECORDS SMASHED IN EPIC BULLS PARTNERSHIP

“(Bury) has closed out the innings really well, which was fantastic for him.

“He’s probably found it tough this year, the quicker wickets suit Mick, and bats have found it easier to get to him.

“He made the decision to bowl a little later and he’s reaped the rewards this week, settling in on a line and length rather than setting the tone off the top.”

Craigieburn travel to PEGS on Saturday, while Deer Park will look to bounce back at home against Altona Roosters.