Tara Murray
Altona North will be hoping for a better day two against PEGS as it aims to keep its finals hopes alive in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 1.
Altona North needs to win in the final round and hope that Doutta Stars loses to Tullamarine.
Making the two matches even more interesting, both PEGS and Tullamarine need wins to try and avoid relegation.
Altona North coach Ian Denny was left disappointed with his side’s performance on a day when only 40.5 overs were bowled due to rain.
PEGS were 4-163 when play was called off. Nathan Patrick had two of the wickets for Altona North.
“We didn’t go as well as we would have liked,” he said.
“There was poor bowling to be honest, which was a bit disappointing. We let them get too many runs.
“They’ve got runs on the board and we will have to chase them down.”
Denny said they would have to see what the over split ends up being on day two. He said they would have to play the game like a one-dayer.
Denny said having two games where both sides had something on the line in the final round was good for the competition.
It’s been a tale of two seasons for Altona North. The side started to find form in the back half of the season to storm into finals contention.
Denny said the first half had been disappointing.
“Our pre-season had been based around two-day cricket,” he said. “We weren’t prepared for as much one-day cricket.
“We played poorly in the first half and since the return of two-day cricket came into form.
“The confidence in the players and we’ve been a lot better in the second half.”
Altona North’s second XI is in the same position as their firsts, but now need an outright win after the fourth side already claimed first innings points
The thirds and fourths will play finals.
In the other division 1 match of matter, Doutta Stars finished day one, 7-155 against Tullamarine.
Seddon in its match made 220 against West Coburg.
In division 2, Newport-Digman made 151 against the Greenvale Kangaroos. The Kangaroos will resume at 3-24,
Williamstown CYMS made 6-287 against Keilor Park with Angus Groen making 114.
Altona Roosters is 3-139 against West Newport, while Kingsville made 6-105 against Footscray United.
In division 3, Grand United is 4-87 in reply to Williamstown Imperials 102.
