By Evelyn Leckie
WHITTLESEA Cricket Club were off to a strong start in its first of a two-day match in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Money Shield competition.
Playing at home against against Diamond Creek, Whittlesea put 299 runs on the board, with five players out.
Opener batsman Nathan Somerville top scored with 79 runs, Mitchell Komen made 61 and brothers Nathan and Corey Baker contributed 58 and 47 runs respectively.
Captain Rodney Pratt said he was pleased with Saturday’s match.
“I was reasonably confident off the back of our form from last week, but also wary – we knew Diamond Creek are known to be a good team,” Pratt said.
“We set ourselves up before the 40th over, which was all part of the plan.
“Nathan Somerville started us off and played really well, and the boys that followed pulled in a strong score.
“We should get the win next week, but we still have another day ahead to get over the line.”
At Mernda’s clash against Bundoora United, the team scored 142 runs.
Dean Shaw and Cooper Perrin were standouts making 44 and 64 runs respectively.
Bundoora United made a start with 56 runs in its innings, without a wicket falling, putting pressure on Mernda to turn the game around in Saturday’s match.
