By Russell Bennett
DOVETON bowler Shane White delivered the bowling spell of a lifetime with a magical 8/30 against Buckley Ridges (184).
White beguiled the Buckley Ridges batsmen, who after a good start felt the full force of White’s armoury.
But a slow and steady approach may yet win the race for the home side. Doveton captain Ryan Hendy won the toss and sent Buckley Ridges in. But Troy Aust (59) and Chris Batchelor (49) valued their wickets as much as their lives. Each faced over 110 balls on route to a 92-run opening partnership that set the tone for their side in its 184 from 70 overs. Doveton’s aggressive response in their innings has so far proved costly, losing 3/24 in just three overs.
@BT Sub Sport News:HEINZ SOUTHERN DISTRICTS v MORDIALLOC
Heinz Southern Districts’ (0/39) batsmen are in the driver’s seat after their bowlers put in a strong first day performance against Mordialloc (180) at Reedy Reserve.
The visitors began on the right foot with opening batsmen Tim Richardson (23) and Aaron Martello (18) each getting a start.
But after combining for seven boundaries in a 39-run stand, both failed to capitalise as HSD’s bowlers gained the ascendancy.
Mordialloc lost a string of wickets, stumbling to 5/93 before Tim Kennedy (44) helped steady the ship and restore some respectability. Michael Davies (3/39) and Justin Davis (3/57) were the chief destroyers as HSD was dismissed for 180.
The home side faced 12 overs before stumps, finishing on 0/39 with Adam Semmens rocketing his way to 34.
@BT Sub Sport News:KEYSBOROUGH v HALLAM KALORA PARK
Consistency was king for Hallam Kalora Park (6/272dec) in their first innings against Keysborough (2/5) with four batsmen scoring more than 40 runs.
While each would have lamented missing out on a big score, their combined efforts left their side at a strong 6/272 declared.
Luke Byron (52) and Nicholas Cox (50 not out) each brought up their half-centuries, while Johan Vorster (47) and Calvin Barlow (44 not out) were strong in support.
Hallam’s declaration left Keysborough with an awkward two overs to face before stumps, and any dreams captain Baden Saunders had of closing the day with 10 wickets in hand quickly turned to nightmares. Both openers, Andre Peters (0) and Darren Lawton (2), fell to man-of-the-moment Vorster with Keysborough closing the day on a precarious 2/5.
@BT Sub Sport News:NARRE WARREN v NORTH DANDENONG
Narre Warren (9/258cc) batted all day on day one of its clash with North Dandenong at Sweeney Reserve.
Narre won the toss, with intentions of batting long, batting well and closing North Dandenong out.
But the home side suffered a catastrophic start, losing its first four wickets for just 49 runs before some classic counter punching from the lower and middle order kept the visiting bowlers at bay.Dushan Wickramaratne (50) held his nerve as wickets fell around him, while James Giertz (68) and Omar Baker (48) proved unshakeable in the later overs. Glen Pepper toiled hard all day for North Dandenong, snaring 3/57 from his 15 overs as Narre climbed to 9/258.
@BT Sub Sport News:BERWICK v SPRINGVALE SOUTH
A starring captain’s knock from Craig Slocombe (85) guided Springvale South (9/318cc) to a dominant position after day one of its clash with Berwick at Arch Brown reserve. Both visiting openers fell cheaply before Jim Boyd (51), Tim Ford (34), Slocombe and Roshan Perera (74) took their side to a impressive 9/318 from 80 overs.
Andrew Perrin and James Davies each snared three wickets for the home side but its batting line-up will need to step up on day two to give Springvale South any real cause for concern.
TURF TWO
@BT Sub Sport News:NARRE SOUTH v FOUNTAIN GATE
Narre South won the toss and sent Fountain Gate (8/299cc) in at Strathaird Reserve. It was a decision skipper Michael Cronin and his men would soon come to regret as the Fountain Gate top order feasted.
Ryan Wigney made 48 of his side’s first 69 runs before falling leg before to Vishan Surendran. But Gary Burniston (62), Stewart Scanlon (92) and Stephen White (40) picked up where he left off – helping the visitors to 8/299 from their 80 overs.
Narre South will be hoping a good batting wicket holds for day two of the clash.
@BT Sub Sport News:CRANBOURNE v LYNDALE
Cranbourne’s (168) clash with Lyndale (1/20) at Casey Fields is evenly poised after the first day’s play. Keeper-batsman Jordan Cleland (41), Jason Hameeteman (36), and Cameron Kelly (35) proved the mainstays of Cranbourne’s innings after Rob Cleland won the toss and chose to bat. Carman Mapatuna (3/31) was Lyndale’s star with the ball, also snaring three catches.
Lyndale started cautiously in reply, losing skipper Rory Ingram early, and finished day one at 1/20 from its 13 overs.
@BT Sub Sport News:NARRE NORTH v ST BRIGID’S/ST LOUIS
St Brigid’s/St Louis (204) won the toss and chose to bat first away against Narre North (0/15). Liam Harris (76) provided the spark for the visitors, with a sparkling half-century. Jeremy Heys (43) was rock-solid in a supporting role as St Brigid’s clawed its way to 204 from 74 overs. Ben Doran was Narre North’s stand-out performer with the ball, claiming 4/50 off an impressive 24 overs. The home side will resume at 0/15 at the start of day two action.
