By Tara Murray
Barkly Street Uniting is hoping to continue its good form in the back half of the season to return to finals in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Russell Pollock Shield.
After a number of tough seasons on and off the pitch, the Dragons have started to turn things around this season.
An outright win against Wyndham Vale on Saturday, has the Dragons sit atop the table after seven rounds.
Dragons secretary Jeffrey Law said the club felt it was on the right track.
‘We have a little bit more depth this season,” he said. “We were struggling for quite a long time.
“Our second XI has had a few wins this year and had an outright win just before Christmas, which is something that hasn’t happened for a long time.
“Hopefully we can make the top four but we know it will not be easy. If we can get a few more wins, we’ll certainly play finals.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve played finals.”
Law said they started to make inroads last season with president Chris Lacey doing a lot of hard work.
Coach Lou Raffaele, who was appointed just before the start of last season, has had more impact helping put the side together this year as well.
On field, the Dragons had a big win against Wyndham Vale on Saturday.
The Dragons had already claimed first innings on day one of the match.
The Vales were bowled out for 77, with Barkly St Uniting 3-176 at stumps.
The Dragons declared heading into day two and sent the Vales back in.
It was much the same as day one, with the Dragons bowling them out for 96.
Jesse Gill took four wickets, while Eiffel Soza took three wickets for the Dragons.
“To have an outright win on the weekend against a side that was in the top four was good,” Law said.
“To roll them again without having to bat again was a really fantastic performance.It’s not often you win outright, let alone against a top four side.”
Law said they had a tough run home facing three sides that are still in the finals mix.
It starts with Burnside Springs United which beat the Williamstown Congs on Saturday.
Chasing 155, Burnside made 8-197 in reply.
Burnside went searching for an outright win, but the Congs batters proved stubborn, finishing 5-124 in their second innings.
In the Evans-Clark Shield, Laverton managed to avoid an outright loss to Bellbridge, while Seabrook beat Footscray Angliss and St Andrew’s Footscray lost out to Melton South.
