Craigieburn secures first innings points against Sunshine United, outright in sights

Craigieburn was looking for redemption this week and picked up its first points of the VTCA season but can’t afford to slip up in week two.

Craigieburn coach Nathan Pappin. Picture: Andy Brownbill

A week after suffering an outright loss, Craigieburn is chasing the ultimate redemption.

The Eagles, winless at the bottom of the VTCA Senior Division ladder, secured first innings points for the first time this season on Saturday.

They are now eyeing the full 10 points against Sunshine United at Victor Foster Reserve.

Craigieburn skittled the visiting Tigers for just 64 after winning the toss and choosing the bowl.

It reached stumps on day one 8-83, locking in a first innings win, and with a lead of 19 will hope to repeat the dose next week.

Adam Davies in action for Craigieburn. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Coach Nathan Pappin said the team had been eager to bounce back after last week’s loss to Sydenham-Hillside.

“We got the better of the conditions and bowled really well, utilised the pitch,” Pappin said.

“We managed to get off to a good start and bowled them out and then got the first innings on day one, which is nice, but it’s a two-innings game so we have to make sure we finish next week.

“We’ve been in a few games and just let ourselves down in a few areas but to get the first one on the board gives us a lot of confidence.

“The guys were keen to make amends for their performances over the last couple of weeks, so it was good to see them bounce back and enjoy their cricket.”

Chameera Perera starred with the ball, ripping through United’s batting order, to finish with 5-14.

Skipper Josh Eaton snagged 3-25.

Kevin Spaull was the hero with the bat, posting a match-high 41.

It proved a special knock considering just three other batsman, of 20 that walked to the middle, reached double figures on the day.

“Chameera bowled really well, he’s been consistent for us all year with ball in hand,” Pappin said

“He finally got the rewards, he’s been putting in the work at training, so it was good to see him get wickets (on Saturday).”

“Kevin batted really well, when you look at the other scores on the day, for him to get 41 made such a big difference.

“We were 1-0 and Kevin came in at No. 3 and got us back on track, which was fantastic.”

For Sunshine United, Alex Burton top-scored with 16 from 42 balls, while skipper Tom O’Brien (4-19) and Jastej Singh (4-28) led the way with the ball.

With the match evenly poised heading into the second week, Pappin said it was like a mini one-dayer with an outright win on offer.

“It was a little bit soft with the rain we had Thursday and the league had us put covers down on Friday night,” he said.

“We bowled better lines than they did early and obviously the pitch dried out through the day, which helped us out, so it was nice to be on the right side of the toss for once.

DOWLING: DRAMA CAN’T STOP RICHMOND’S TITLE CHARGE

LEADER: GET YOUR LOCAL CRICKET NEWS HERE

VTCA: SYDENHAM-HILLSIDE EYEING FINALS IN MAIDEN SEASON

“Manpreet (Singh, 12 not out) came in at No. 6, he usually opens for us, so we have guys that we’re confident in to do the job.

“We’ll keep batting, see if we can get a bit of a lead and go from there.”

Singh and Darren Wotu (0) will resume Craigieburn’s innings when play begins on Saturday with James Portou still to bat.

If Craigieburn can hold on for a first innings win, the six points would see them join Druids – pending its game against Yarraville Club – on 12 points and reopen the relegation fight.