Tara Murray
A Buddika Hasaranga century has the Druids in a solid position against Sunshine United as it tries to keep its Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division season alive.
Needing wins from their remaining two matches and other results to go their way, the Wizards match with Sunshine United is crucial.
After day one, the side is in a strong position, but vice-president Andrew Brennan knows there’s plenty of work to do.
After deciding to bat, the Wizards made 9-279 from their overs.
Hasaranga made 113 off 130 balls, hitting 14 fours. It’s just the second time this season he has passed 50.
Brennan said they would have taken that score at the start of the day.
“It was a pretty good start,” he said.
“That was the sort of score we were looking for at the start of the day. The pitch was doing a bit and the outfield was slow.
“It’s the business end of the season, we need to put our best foot forward.”
Brennan said they would need to bowl well on day two, with United a strong batting side.
Brennan said they hadn’t given up hope of playing finals, despite sitting in ninth spot heading into the round.
“There’s a long way to go,” he said. “We need to win both games and we’ll go close to sneaking into finals and we’d be happy with that.
“We still need a couple of results to go our way too. We’re a couple of games off Westmeadows at the bottom and a couple of Sunshine which is second, which shows how close the competition is.”
Brennan said things across the club were going well. The second XI sit on top and are aiming for back-to-back premierships for the first time in a long time.
He said the thirds were also in the finals mix.
In other matches on Saturday, Yarraville Club is on top against Craigieburn.
The Clubbers bowled the Eagles out for 164. Skipper Mitch Johnstone took 3-52 for the Clubbers.
They will resume at 0-2 on day two.
In division 1. Seddon will need 213 for victory against Tullamarine.
Altona North is in a good position against West Coburg.
West Coburg was bowled out for 185, with Altona North 2-87 at stumps on day one.
In division 2, Newport-Digman is in trouble against Williamstown CYMS.
The CYs were bowled out for 200, before having Newport-Digman in trouble at 4-28 at stumps.
Kingsville was bowled out for 149 against Royal Park-Brunswick, while Altona Roosters are 4-32 in reply to Keilor Park’s 175.
West Newport made 186 against Footscray United, which is 0-13 in reply.
