By Jackson Russell
LAURIMAR powered through to its third Mash Shield win from three matches with a seven-wicket win against Thomastown at home.
Thomastown won the toss and elected to bat, but had a tough time thanks to an efficient Laurimar attack led by Steven Mitchell, who took 4/8 from 7.1 overs.
Wickets came in bunches for the Power, who had Thomastown on the ropes at 4/22 early with two wickets each to Nathan Woods and Chris Marienfeld.
Thomastown was able to slow the Power’s momentum with a 34-run partnership, before Michael Peters and Harley Boland took wickets one after the other as the visitors fell to 6/58.
A 21-run partnership looked as though it might put Thomastown back on track, but it was short lived as Steven Mitchell took the next four wickets as the Power bowled Thomastown out for 96 from 38.1 overs.
Opener Ashley Williams led the run chase from the front, making a quickfire 64 as Laurimar sealed the win in just 16.3 overs.
Williams and captain Jake Zerella put on a 50-run partnership to open the innings before Zerella was caught for 18.
Williams continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over until he holed out with Laurimar all but home at 2/90.
Wicketkeeper Ned Welsh scored the winning runs in only the 17th over to seal the win for the Power.
Zerella said it was a ‘pretty comprehensive’ performance from his side.
“Obviously, we bowled and fielded really well, then Mitchell came on a wiped out the tail which was handy. Everyone bowled well really,” he said.
“Because we got a couple of early ones, that allowed us to put a fair bit of pressure on and stop them from scoring. It was a fairly good effort in the field too with a couple good catches taken.
“Then Ash [Williams] came out and smoked the runs and that was about it.
“The small totals can sometimes be a bit tough so if you go hard at them early, it can work out a bit better.”
Eagles tie, not fly
In a rare tie, Whittlesea was unable to get the better of Thomastown United in its Mash Shield fixture on the road.
The Eagles were able to take wickets consistently but were troubled by big scores to Thomastown United opener Ravjit Dosanjh (51) and Matthew Del Mastro (42), keeping the hosts to 8/166 from their 40 overs.
Nathan Fowler led the Eagles’ attack, taking 2/32 from eight overs.
Whittlesea was in trouble at 2/8 until Fowler and Brody Bell (27) combined for a 67-run partnership before Fowler was run out after making 52.
Suresh Fernando did his best to bring the Eagles home with tailenders falling around him, making 48, but ran out of time as Whittlesea finished a run short of victory at 8/166.
Mernda still winless
Mernda suffered its third loss of the Money Shield season, going down to Eltham by five wickets at Eltham.
The Demons made a decent start at 2/56 but could not hold onto their wickets and were bowled out for 154.
Captain James Taylor led the charge, making 28 before he was caught behind.
Eltham got the job done with four overs and five wickets to spare on the back of 41 from wicketkeeper Matthew Chrimes.
