The senior teams donned its whites for the first time this season as I go Around the Grounds.
GAME OF TWISTS AND TURNS
Fourteen wickets fell on the first day at Epping Recreation Reserve on Saturday as Epping and Bundoora did battle.
Sitting at 8/82, things looked mighty grim for Epping, but a crucial 56-run partnership between Zach Graham and Ethan Kunelius helped steady the ship greatly for last season’s grand finalists.
Graham ended up finishing with 69, while Kunelius scored 20 as Epping scored 153.
The partnership took on more meaning as the day went on, with Epping taking four wickets to leave Bundoora wanting at 4/44.
FALCKE OFF TO A GREAT START
Two games, two 50s for Daniel Falcke – Macleod’s main man looking in great form as he helped the Eagles make 246 against Eltham.
After scoring 63 last week, Falcke followed up with 75 as he helped set up Macleod’s afternoon. Now, the Eagles will look to convert when Eltham take the pitch this week.
The Panthers will have confidence after chasing down over 200 last week against Diamond Creek, but 250 is a big mountain to climb. Let’s see if last season’s Money Shield premiers have it in them.
FASCINATING CLASH
Banyule and Riverside is the intriguing game out of Money Shield.
The always-powerful Riverside was surprisingly relegated last season, and looked to be in a spot of bother at Beverley Road on Saturday as it was bowled out for 125.
However, as always, both teams have to bat on the pitch before you make an assessment, and Riverside finished the day strongly to take four wickets, leaving Banyule on 4/44.
Still, the Siders only have 81 runs to play with on day two, so wickets will be at a premium.
KEY LAST BALL WICKET
Lower Plenty are in the driver’s seat against Bundoora United thanks to a ripping wicket with the last ball of the day.
William Jenkin celebrates making 50 for Lower Plenty.
After making 219, driven by William Jenkin’s 56, Lower Plenty gave Bundoora United one over to negotiate.
Making six runs off the first five balls, Nicholas Caracella bowled a picture-perfect full-length ball which trapped William Gelling in front for LBW. What a way to finish a productive day away from home for Lower Plenty.
COMPETITIVE DIVISION
We will learn a lot more about Money Shield this week – it looms as a very competitive division.
Rivergum need an even 200 runs to make a game of it against Research Eltham Collegians, while Mernda require 188 more runs to defeat Rosebank after it was bowled out for 194 on the first day of play.
TIMELY KNOCK
Thomastown president Jordan Cugnetto hadn’t scored more than 48 when he took to the Main Street crease on Saturday.
But staring down a scenario where his team sat at 5/44, Cugnetto knuckled down and scored a fine half-century which has given his team a chance against South Morang.
Cugnetto finished with 77, and Thomastown ended up posting 171, with the Lions 0/9 in response.
BANDARA’S SEVEN CAN’T STOP PANTON HILL
Thissa Bandera took seven wickets in a virtuoso performance for Hurstbridge on Saturday.
Interesting game, also, at AE Cracknell Reserve, where Panton Hill will be defending 303 next week against Hurstbridge.
William Brennan was terrific for the Redbacks, scoring 81, while he had support from Mitchell Selleck (32), Josh Barton (29), Jeremy Ladiges-Tucker (31) and Kai Turner (24).
It might have been worse for Hurstbridge had it not been for the efforts of Thissa Bandara, who took 7/83 in 26 overs – a big effort.
On the small expanses of Cracknell, expect fireworks either way this weekend.
LOWER ELTHAM LOOK STRONG
Lower Eltham, and Raymond Mitchell, are in a fantastic spot ahead of day two this weekend.
Caught a bit of the Lower Eltham and Thomastown United game on Saturday. Lower Eltham look like premiership contenders for sure.
It was able to sweep aside United for just 106, and had first innings points secured by the end of the day.
It means Lower can go all-out for outright victory on Saturday, and get the jump on everyone else in the competition.
BIG BUNDOORA PARK SCORE
Bundoora Park did well to bat all day and post 5/216 against Lalor Stars, making for an intriguing chase next week.
The top order performed strongly for the Thunderbolts, with Zac Howell making 98 – the highest of all shields this weekend – and Jarryd Culph adding 57.
LAURIMAR DEFENDS 126
A wacky day’s play at Laurimar Town Park, where the Power, despite sitting at 5/32 at one stage, managed to take first innings points.
Saurin Sandeep Sharma was the hero with the bat, scoring 47 to help the Power post a total of 126, before Andy Evans, Joel Regan and Jayden Clifford knuckled down with the ball, with Evans posting 4/16 and Regan 3/32 as noteworthy performances to bowl Old Ivanhoe Grammarians out for 120.
Perhaps a missed opportunity for Old Ivanhoe to go 2-0, but the Power desperately needed the first innings points after being outclassed by Lower Eltham last week.
