DIAMOND Valley cricketers were back in the thick of things on Saturday afternoon as the season restarted following the Christmas and New Year break.
All grades from the Barclay Shield down to E grade kicked off proceedings, while F and G grade will make its return this week.
In Money Shield, Mernda will be hoping to continue asserting itself in the top four as it chases Plenty’s target of 192 next week.
The Demons got off to a terrific start, accounting for both Plenty openers for just one run apiece, and maintaining plenty of pressure on the Power’s batting lineup, with many struggling to get away.
However, Gordon Zull’s 86 helped the Power make 9/191 from its 80 overs, creating a contest this weekend.
Michael Edwards was the best of the bowlers, taking 2/29 off 19 overs, which included eight maidens, while James Baker (2/50 off 16) and Lachlan Taylor (2/55 off 24) also got among the wickets.
In Mash Shield, Laurimar require a further 248 runs to defeat Old Ivanhoe Grammarians, with the bottom-placed team enjoying one of its better days in its first season in the competition, making 9/259.
The Power struggled mightily against the Old Ivanhoe top order, but it would be the trio of Austin Welsh, Luke Richardson and Jonathon McAleer who would eventually slow down the Grammarians.
Welsh took 3/45 off 16 overs, while McAleer (2/21 off seven) and Richardson (2/52 off 18) also did their job.
Laurimar was 0/12 at stumps, with McAleer on eight and Justin Billing on four.
South Morang face a tricky task in defending 180 at Rivergum.
Karl Heckmann led from the front in scoring 85 runs, while Lachlan Gatherer added 40, but Rivergum got on top of the rest of the Lions’ batting lineup.
The Lions declared at 9/179 to get five overs at the Burra, but Rivergum managed 23 runs without loss.
In B grade, Mernda will face a big task to overhaul Plenty’s 7/245 on Saturday.
Only Jarmyn Marshall could get on top of the Power’s batting lineup, taking 4/57 off 21 overs. The Demons will need to chase down the target to remain in the frame for a position in the top two.
South Morang got itself into a terrific position in its C grade encounter against Bundoora, needing a further seven wickets to score first innings points.
With the bat, Paul Martin’s 50 helped anchor the top of the order, despite early struggles, but Nick Terpou’s 56 and Darcy McLean’s 59 helped provide crucial middle order resistance, eventually helping the Lions score 201 from 72 overs.
Joel Isherwood then did some significant damage with the ball to Bundoora’s top order, taking 3/10 off four overs to leave the Bulls wilting at 3/19 at stumps.
Laurimar’s D grade team struggled mightily against Panton Hill, facing a big mountain to climb with a further 385 runs to win with nine wickets in hand.
The Redbacks demolished the Power’s batting lineup to all parts of AE Cracknell Reserve, scoring 4/405 in just 67 overs, thanks to dual tons from Tom Rodgerson and Rick Ford.
Jake Abbey was the best of the Power bowlers, taking 2/80 off 20 overs.
The Power suffered an early blow, losing Aaron Dickson for eight, while Cooper Lawrenson was unbeaten on nine, and Thomas McCumber yet to score as Laurimar finished 1/21 at stumps.
Mernda had the bye in E grade, while South Morang travelled to Riverside.
Riverside’s middle order helped it get to 8/242 at the close of play, with Manoj Devedi the star for the Lions, taking five wickets, while Ansh Vara took two wickets.
