Opening stand key for Drouin
An even contest between bat and ball has seen Drouin post a challenging target in its opening round match against Garfield/Tynong.
Sent in by the Titans, the home side made a solid start with Seb Amoroso and Jude Fernando (34) putting on 51 in their opening stand. The visitors hit back with three quick wickets as Stephen Godfrey (2/50) and Nick McQualter (3/40) found their rhythm.
Jimmy Atwal steadied for the Hawks as a series of small partnerships helped get the score to 7/157. Atwal was then joined by Lochie Downie with the pair adding an important 56 before Atwal was dismissed for a well compiled 70.
Downie kept the scoreboard ticking late into the afternoon but was left stranded on 46 not out when his side was dismissed in the 69th over. CJ King chimed in with important wickets throughout the day to finish with 3/70.
Longwarry 113 vs Jindivick 1/56
A stunning collapse that saw Longwarry lose 8/23 has given Jindivick the upper hand after day one of their clash at Kydd-Park Reserve.
Sent in by the home side, the Crows lost an early wicket before a defiant partnership from Jesse La Frantz and Geoff Rumble helped get them on track. La Frantz (31) was the next man to go and with the score at 2/56 the visitors had a good foundation. Rumble (27) and Luke Merrett (18) continued to build the total before Rumble’s dismissal, with the score on 90, saw the wheels fall off.
With the bottom four batsman unable to trouble the scorers Longwarry soon found themselves in the unenviable position of having to bowl out the remaining overs. Andrew Pyle was the chief wicket taker snaring 4/27 while Dean Swinburne chimed in with 2/23. In reply, a typically gritty knock from Mick Dixon (29 n.o.) helped the Jumping Jacks wipe off half the deficit before stumps.
Western Park 95 vs Warragul 0/70
A dominant bowling performance has given Warragul the advantage over cross-town rivals Western Park.
Choosing to bowl first Warragul struck early blows as Stacy Best (2/28) found success with the new ball. Starts from Jon Neilson and Dave Nobels stemmed the flow, but it was only a temporary reprieve as the change bowlers swung into action. Matt Runnalls (3/25) and Jeff McBride (2/13) combined to leave the Warriors in serious trouble at 7/62 before some lower order resistance from Connor McCluskey and Sam Laffy helped keep the Gulls out in the field for a bit longer. With 21 overs remaining in the day, Amandeep Singh found plenty he liked about the bowling, getting the visitors off to a blistering start. He will start day two on 56 with ten boundaries already to his name.