Roar’s big fight back!

Sunbury pulled off a rare reverse outright win in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Steve McNamara Shield on Saturday.

It was a day of mixed fortunes for the Roar but it ended in the best possible way against the Williamstown CYMS.

Chasing 140, the Roar was bowled out for just 71 as it lost five quick wickets early on day two.

Jason McGann top scored with 23 and was the only player to score double figures.

With six points already in the bag, the CYs decided to go for the whole 10 points to try and set up their season.

They declared at 5-119 in their second innings.

McGann and Virosh Wijesinghe took two wickets each for the Roar.

It left the Roar needing 188 for a reverse outright. It was more than what the Roar had made in any innings this season.

Producing the best performance with the bat so far, the Roar finished 4-189 in 29 overs.

The Roar’s Marty Kelders said the group was thrilled to have turned things around.

“To be honest, what happened yesterday [Saturday] is very rare in cricket,” he said. “Speaking with Jason McGann and neither of us could remember it happening before.

“It’s really good to see that hard work has paid off. We have a new team.

“I think the win during the week in the T20 against East Keilor solidified the team a bit.”

Kelders said the CYs declaration was a bold one.

The Roar changed its batting order around and it paid off.

Kelders said the message was simple to the group when they went out to bat a second time.

“Play on feel and play your own game,” he said. “Opening with Mass [Indika Massalage] and Paul [Webber], they looked to take the game on and it came off.”

Massalage top scored with 66, while Webber scored 46.

Kelders said the most pleasing thing was that everyone came in and played their role.

He said seeing the younger guys step up was really pleasing.

“Jacob Caruana has come into the senior group as has Jordan Ballinger,” he said. “Virosh Wijesinghe is another and Kyle Corcoran bowled really well but it didn’t show in the figures.

“We were led by the young players.”

Kelders said the group was hoping this would build some confidence for the rest of the season.

He said they were still learning how to play with each other.

“A result like that is really lifting,” he said.

In the T20 competition, the Roar started well against East Keilor.

The Roar made 149 from its 20 overs with Ashan Ranaweera top-scoring with 26. East Keilor was in trouble at 8-45 before a late comeback. It fell short with East Keilor bowled out for 122. Ranaweera took 6-10 for the Roar.

In other matches….

Sunbury Roar 2nd XI continued on their winning way with another convincing win at Clarke Oval. Last week the Roar batted strongly finishing the day amassing 9/193 featuring Daniel Caruana’s 79 runs being the mainstay of the innings. Other notable performances were both Zac Corcoran and Jack McGann compiling 28 runs a piece.

Yesterday, Williamstown CYMS 2nd XI only managed 101 in reply in a one-sided affair. Starring with the ball was Mitch Johnson taking 3/36 off 10 overs.

Sunbury GDCA XI had a great win, chasing down the 188 total set by Woodend last week. Mike Veich topped the bowling figures with 3/24 and special mention to Pat Higgins with 2/25.

But it was all to do on day two, setting up the innings was a good opening partnership between Justin Allen (16) and Patrick Higgins (55). Young Nicolas Davies impressed with 49 and toward the end Lachlan Yardley (13*) and Robert Ballenden (6*) steered the ship home in an impressive manner.

Today Sunbury Roar Sunday Turf XI went down to Sunshine Heights Gold. the Roar made 92 with Matthew Parker (21) and Dilpreet Singe (20) top scoring. SH Gold passed the total 3 wickets down.

We are Sunbury, hear the mighty Roar!