Tullamarine continues its stunning start to the VTCA Division 1 season

After escaping relegation last season, Tullamarine has made a stunning start in VTCA Division 1, knocking off the semi-finalist and grand finalist.

Dean Peter-Budge. Picture: David Smith

Tullamarine has made an astonishing start to the VTCA Division 1 season, picking up two impressive wins over pre-season premiership contenders.

After surviving a relegation battle last season, the Demons have knocked off last season’s semi-finalist West Coburg and grand finalist Glenroy in consecutive weeks.

Tullamarine claimed a thrilling seven-run win over Glenroy on Saturday, defending 110, at Leo Dineen Reserve.

Coach Buddhika Mendis said while it wasn’t good for his heart, the way his team was playing for each other was particularly pleasing.

“We have a brand new team, if you want to call it that, we’ve only got only three guys that remain from last season,” he said.

“One thing I am happy about the performances over the last two weeks is its different guys putting their hands up and doing it.

“(Captain) Frank Boteju is leading us for the first time has the boys playing as a unit and everyone has responded really well.

“It’s a nightmare watching because you can’t control anything, when the guys take the game to 39.5 overs every week it doesn’t do any good for the blood pressure.”

After winning the toss and electing to bat Tullamarine made a strong start, reaching 3-69, before collapsing in the middle overs.

Suraj Weerasinghe top scored with 25 but the Demons lost their last seven wickets for just 41 runs.

Glenroy made a flying start in the chase as Nimrat Judge (28) and AP Singh (19) put on a 48-run opening stand.

However, Hassan Muhammad (4-17) ripped through the Roys top order and Boteju (2-18) picked up key wickets to trigger an 8-49 collapse.

Glenroy needed 11 runs off the final over but could only muster three to fall to a second straight loss.

“Jimmy Ghotra bowled the last over and did a really good job to keep it to three runs.

“The main guy was Hassan, he hasn’t played the last couple of years because of a back injury, but finished with four really important wickets.

“We were definitely about 20 runs short, we lost some crucial wickets from the 20th over to the 30th, and lost momentum with the bat.

“They were cruising at the start but after the 20th over we started to pull it back, they started to panic and the wickets kept falling.

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Despite the strong start to the campaign, Mendis said the club wasn’t looking too far ahead.

“I want the team to be competitive but nothing has changed and if we can finish mid-table then I will be happy,” he said.

“That’s where we set our target at the start of the season, we just want to play the best cricket we can.

“I’m very happy with the unit because we’ve played some good cricket, the boys are enjoying it.”