By Lance Jenkinson
Sunshine United was unceremoniously dumped from the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division finals.
The Tigers only showed glimpses of their best in a seven-wicket semi-final defeat to Doutta Stars at Buckley Park on Sunday.
Nevertheless, the Tigers can be proud of what they produced in their first season in the ultra competitive top flight.
The newly promoted Tigers reached the senior division finals at their first crack and made it all the way through to the grand final of the statewide Twenty20 competition.
Sunshine United had an innings of frustration with the bat on day one.
The scorecard reveals a string of starts for the Tigers, but only one player that went on with it.
Opener Scott Dalrymple was excellent, making 41 and playing his opening role to perfection.
Seven other Tigers reached double figures before going out. It left the Tigers yearning for more than their 152 in 70.3 overs.
Doutta Stars offered some false hope to Sunshine United at the top of its innings.
Photo Gallery: Doutta Stars vs Sunshine United
The Stars found themselves in trouble at 3-1 as Tigers new ball operators Michael Glowacki, with two wickets, and Thomas O’Brien, who claimed the other, had early success.
Unfortunately for Sunshine United, that was where the joy ended.
Hamish Moore sparked the Stars run chase with 101 not out, while Brenton Parchment went along for the ride with 43 not out.
The pair put on an unbroken partnership of 152 to lead the Stars to victory in the 39th over.
In the other semi-final, Keilor fell agonisingly short by 35 runs in its chase for Strathmore’s 9-279. The Blues were bowled out in the 72nd over for 244 in an entertaining run chase.
Robert Clements (55), Kaushal Lokuarachchi (50) and Finlay Trenouth (47) all looked set to take the game by the scruff of the neck, but could not go on with it for the Blues.
MORE VTCA NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/sydenham-hillside-seniors-in-chase-for-triple-treat/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/melton-centrals-eye-off-a-flag/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/jacana-feels-the-pain-as-bowling-attack-left-short/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/sunshine-heights-season-ends/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/sunshine-overcomes-nerves-to-outplay-williamstown/
