By Jackson Russell
Laurimar has one hand on the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Mash Shield thanks to a seven-wicket haul from Steven Mitchell.
The Power were able to bowl Bundoora Park out for 103 and get a head start on its run chase on day one at Ben Frilay Oval in Hurstbridge.
Bundoora Park made a solid start, with a 32-run opening partnership before Mitchell got the breakthrough wicket of Bundoora Park captain Bradley Fox, caught behind by Ned Welsh for 21.
His opening partner Riley Hillyear (10) soon followed as Bundoora Park fell to 2/37, triggering a collapse right through the middle order.
Mitchell took the Power’s first six wickets as Bundoora fell to 6/53.
Nathan Woods got in on the act, dismissing Liam McLeod for 10 with Bundoora Park 7/69.
Bundoora Park was able to put some runs on the board with a 31-run partnership between Ryan Miller (28) and Jarryd Culph (8).
Mitchell ended the partnership with his seventh wicket, dismissing Miller caught behind by Walsh.
Chris Marienfeld cleaned up the Bundoora Park tail, taking the final two wickets.
Captain Jake Zerella said he was happy to hold Bundoora Park to just over 100.
“They’re a side that have been making 200-plus every week so to get them for just over 100 is brilliant and puts us in the box seat,” he said.
Zerella said the seven-for was a just reward for Mitchell’s performance all season.
“To come out and steamroll a side like that in a grand final, he bowled brilliantly,” he said.
“He’s bowled brilliantly all year and probably hasn’t gotten the rewards he deserved so to take seven-for, he’s earned it, it’s a really good reward for him and couldn’t happen to a better bloke.”
Laurimar was able to get 19 overs out of the rest of day one, but may have put themselves in a less than ideal position, finishing the day 2/26.
Zerella and first drop Daniel Roberts were the two wickets to fall, each dismissed for just one, while Ashley Williams (19) and Luke Richardson (5) will resume on Saturday.
“We’re still well in front of the game but being two down overnight hurts a bit,” Zerella said.
“With the way the boys have been batting, we’re still fairly confident we’ll get the job done.”