WHILE rain swept through the northern suburbs on Saturday, there was still plenty of intriguing cricket that was played in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association (DVCA).
In the Mash Shield, Laurimar will need 139 runs to take second place away from Mernda this week, as well as booking their own spot in the finals, after successfully bowling the Demons out for 138 runs without losing a wicket at stumps.
An even team performance across the board for the Power saw Travis Baker finish with 3/31, while Bailey Lawrenson, and Luke and Patrick Richardson finished with two wickets apiece, restricting the Demons after starting strongly at 1/56.
For Mernda, Alex Mitris top scored with 25 runs, while Robert Turnbull scored 22. However, despite six batters scoring in double digits, none could convert their solid starts.
Late wickets helped South Morang breathe a little easier in their quest to keep the pressure on for a spot in the Mash Shield finals, but they will still need their bowling to be on song for the second day of play against bottom-placed Thomastown as they cling on to a 122-run lead.
Karl Heckmann gave the Lions the start they wanted with 47 runs, but it was Ricky Lee and Daniel Watson who helped steady the ship after they hit 4/79. Sharing a 116-run partnership, Lee top scored with 68 runs, while Watson fell just short of a half-century, dismissed on 49.
South Morang eventually declared at 8/212, but Thomastown got off to a good start, sitting at 2/69, before a late push saw them reduced to 4/90 at the end of the day’s play.
Blair Cass kept his bowling tight when called upon, taking 2/6 off 10 overs, which included seven maidens.
A rain-affected affair saw just 26 overs bowled at Eltham College as Whittlesea’s Firsts ventured over to Research Eltham Collegians, but the Eagles struggled greatly as they were restricted to 6/61.
Nathan Heaney has top-scored for the moment with 18, but Binith Jayasinghe, sitting unbeaten on 16, will be called upon to build partnerships this Saturday to ensure the Eagles have a competitive scoreline.
Whittlesea’s Seconds had a better time, and remain in the hunt for a top four spot as they chased down North Eltham’s target of 5/141, scoring 6/145 to take victory by four wickets.
It was Jack Jerabek who again shone for the Eagles, leading the way with the ball to take 2/30, before anchoring their chase with 34 runs. Lochaden Graham’s 18 and Dinesh Arachchige’s 13 helped provide a partnership to get them home with eight balls to spare.
In other highlights, Mernda’s Seconds team will need to chase down 222 runs on the second day’s play on Saturday to move into the top four at North Eltham’s expense.
Mernda’s bowlers struggled to gain traction, with four bowlers taking a wicket each.
It was a day to savour for Laurimar youngster Cooper Lawrenson as he recorded his maiden senior century in the Power’s Seconds’ clash with Dennis, with the Power scoring 5/238 as they look to ensure they do not receive the wooden spoon.
Play for the day in South Morang’s Seconds clash with North Eltham was abandoned, which will mean a one-day game this week will decide whether the Lions can remain on top of the D Grade ladder.
