Tigers on prowl against Heat
77 runs for first-innings points.
“It was one of those days you had to toil away and create pressure and it turned our way nicely,” Torquay captain-coach Dale McDonald said.
“We felt like we were in control most of the day but we created enough pressure to create enough mistakes in the end.
“That’s something we rely heavily on, just creating enough pressure and if we hold that pressure long enough, hopefully the opposition will crack.
“It's only half the game done but hopefully we can get the last 70 runs and go from there.”
McDonald paid credit to his spinners who were able to take wickets on a pitch that didn’t provide a lot for the seamers.
“It was a nice wicket but there just wasn’t a lot in it, so the spinners obviously did the job for us,” he said.
Russell captain-coached the club to a grand final last season, but he bowled just 162 overs for 25 wickets.
This season, he’s claimed 21 at 9.6 from 104.3 overs and McDonald said he had been key to the side’s good form.
“Ash is a fantastic bowler,” McDonald said.
“He obviously captained and coached the club last year and he didn’t bowl himself enough last year, in a leadership role he wanted to make sure he shared the responsibilities.
“He’s a fantastic player, a brilliant bat as well. At the moment he’s bowling particularly well.”