The calendar only flipped to December yesterday but Footscray United is already at a critical juncture in Turf Cricket west A1 season.
United has fallen behind the eight-ball with only one win in four starts and is in desperate need of a pick-me-up.
“If we lose this week, we’re a long way behind for finals,” United batsman Stuart Ainge told Star Weekly.
United’s leg spinning all-rounder Rasika Fernando sensed his side’s desperation and was all business on the opening day of a two-day clash with a Werribee Centrals side in a similar predicament at Galvin Park on Saturday.
Fernando did his best to have United in the box seat at stumps on day one.
He took 2-27 with the ball and at one stage was on a hat-trick. He also snared two catches in the slips.
With Centrals all out for 177, Fernando then took on the challenge of opening the batting, powering his way to 40 not out to leave United in a winning position at 0-56 with a day to bat.
“He hit the first ball he faced for six,” Ainge said. “That says a bit about his attitude. That last hour before stumps, when we had 15 overs to bat really put us in front in the game.”
It was far from a one-man show for United.
Skipper Steve McKay was superb with his off spin, taking 3-34 off 12, while Geeth Silva and Srinath Vanapalli snared two wickets apiece.
But it will take all hands on deck again on Saturday for United to reach their tricky target.
“It’s a bowlers deck, so it’s always hard to bat there,” Ainge said. “It’s no certainty yet.”
In senior division, Yarraville Club and Bonbeach Tangy are evenly poised after the Clubbers posted 224.
In north-west division, Spotswood left Laverton dazed at McLean Reserve, wrapping up first-innings points in a day.
Laverton was rolled for just 63 before the Woodsmen powered to 4-223, Ross Horkings leading the way with 88 not out.
Meanwhile, Steven Kukucka is the talk of Footscray ANA after belting 30 fours and 12 sixes en route to 213 for the second XI against Sunshine YCW.
He also brought up his 7000th run during the innings.
St Andrews Footscray stalwarts Mick Gregory and Simon Krygger had significant milestones in recent weeks.
Gregory broke the Saints’ games record of 280, while Krygger notched his 250th game.
