By Jackson Russell
Mernda is in good shape after day one of its Money Shield match against Research Eltham Collegians.
With rain affecting play at Research Park, Mernda was only able to get 50 overs of play but made 3/124.
Josh Delaney fell early, dismissed for 9 at 1/13 before Darren Mercuri and Damien Stevens put a 51-run partnership together.
Stevens was dismissed for 29 after an entertaining innings with five boundaries including one six.
Mitchell Harris joined Mercuri in the middle and the two put on a 26-run partnership before Mercuri was dismissed for 90 to have Mernda 3/90.
Harris and Stuart Wright put on 34 before rain hit at the 50.2 over mark and play was abandoned.
Harris finished the day on 15 not out and Wright made 23 not out.
Laurimar made a good start on day one of its Mash Shield two-dayer against Diamond Creek at home.
The Power looked to be in trouble early, with captain Jake Zerella falling for just three early with Laurimar 1/18.
His opening partner Ashley Williams didn’t last much longer, dismissed for 20 as the Power fell to 2/28.
Daniel Roberts and Luke Richardson weren’t able to put much of a partnership together before Roberts fell for three with Laurimar 3/44.
Richardson and Rian Boddy started a surge for the Power with the pair combining for a 69-run partnership before Richardson was dismissed for 38.
Boddy was able to get his half-century before he fell at 5/130.
Andrew Nicholls (10*) and Ray Kelsey (0*) will resume for Laurimar on Saturday.
Zerella said he felt like his side was in a strong position before resuming its innings on Saturday.
“Obviously the rain is a bit annoying but we’ll work out what we have to do next week and go from there,” he said.
“Luke and Rian tend to bat well together. Bodds has been in pretty good form, getting another 50 and Richo has been in good form too.
“Having Nico and Ray in leaves us in pretty good stead for next week.”
Whittlesea is well in control after day one of its away Mash Shield match against Greensborough.
The Eagles were able to hold Greensborough to just 3/72 when play was abandoned after 38.2 overs.
Whittlesea struck early, with Braydon Avola bowling David Patullo for seven with Greensborough 1/13.
Greensborough captain Thomas Vilchez and Jesse Hristovski put 27 on the board between them before Hristovski was caught behind by Rajitha Ratnayake off Rajitha Mendis for nine as Greensborough fell to 2/40.
Vilchez followed suit soon after, caught behind by Ratnayake off captain Rodney Pratt for 29 to have the hosts 3/58.
John Perichon (12*) and Matthew Lower (4*) put on 14 before play was abandoned.
Avola finished with efficient figures of 1/5 from six overs with three maidens while Pratt and Mendis both took 1/24.
