By Tara Murray
Altona North fought back late on day one to be in the box seat to claim the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Isaacs Howarth Shield premiership.
Day one of the two-day grand final against Sunshine was one for the bowlers, with both teams’ batters struggling to get going.
Day two was washed out, with the rest of the grand final now to be played this Saturday on the reserve day.
Altona North chairman of selectors Ian Denny said it was a funny old weekend.
“It was 35 degrees on Saturday and pouring rain the next day,” he said. “We didn’t bat well and then we fought back with the ball which was great.
“It was a great fight back.”
Altona North suffered a hit in the lead up to the match with its best player Thomas Taylor being called back to England by his county side.
Denny said while Taylor was a massive loss, they felt they had the squad to still get it done.
“He is the best player in the competition,” Denny said. “We have a pretty strong group that was going well before he arrived and have continued to play well.
“Someone else will step up.”
Altona North won the toss and decided to bat in the heat on Saturday. It was in trouble early as all the top order failed.
The middle and lower order came to the rescue again to get the side to 9-177.
Joe Harrison was the star this week with 59 at number eight, while Nathan Patrick at number 11 hung around for 31 balls to make seven not out.
Denny said that it was a 250 pitch, so their score was below par on their ground.
Asela Aluthge, who was promoted to number four with Taylor’s departure, dislocated his toe and had to be taken to hospital to have it put back in.
His absence set about a turn of events that would lead to Altona North being on top at stumps.
Althuge was set to open the bowling, but wasn’t back in time meaning Jinang Shah stepped in to open.
He took 4-16 off six overs as Altona North had the Crows in trouble at 5-45 at stumps.
“He was magnificent,” Denny said. “Nathan was bowling quick at the other end and really intimidating them.
“He was bowling at a nagging length and got Troy Stone with an inswinger. He got his other wickets the other way.”
Aluthge later returned to the field and replaced the sub fielder, who is a good fielder, and took a good catch on the first ball.
Denny said they felt the game was still up for grabs.
“They need to get 140-odd,” he said. “We still need to take five wickets.
“We have to put pressure on early and get one of two wickets. We know they can bat deep and their number six and seven can bat.”
