SCORES GALORE AS BATSMEN SHINE
By Richard Millott
Opening Day of Two day cricket for the season saw near perfect conditions for teams, with batsmen taking full advantage.
Ferntree Gully has placed themselves in a fantastic position to register for the season after reaching 8/299 against Johnson Park. Adrian Catalano (69), Ben Swift (58), Jayden Bradbury (50), Mark Teofilo (49) and Jake Evans (33) all contributed for the Blues, leaving the Sharks with an interesting chase to navigate if they are to thwart the home team.
Matt Mulcahy scored 105 not out as part of Upwey’s efforts against Belgrave. The Tigers were 6/124 thanks to Henry Charter’s restrictive bowling (4/50), before Mulcahy steadied the scoreboard, his innings containing 14 fours to help Upwey to 8/272, with Darren Spence also contributing 59 as the final overs ticked by.
Eildon Park’s Nathan Caton-Robertson claimed 5/40 to help bundle Upper Ferntree Gully out for 182. Jay Colee (61) and Shane Luck (51) both stood up for the Kings, who will be looking for a tight effort with the ball early to set the tone and claim their first points of the campaign.
The Basin showed Ferntree Gully Footballers why they are one of the teams to beat this season, putting 8/333 on the board on Day 1. Scott Vozzo lead the way for the Bears with 63 not out, with supporting efforts from Danny Rundle (59), Jayden Turcinovic (56) and Blake Walter (49).
Knoxfield posted a healthy 8/278 in their matchup with Knox Gardens. Tom Boxell (66) was the highest score for the Knights, with Darren Petersen (59*) and Adith Sundaresh (43) helping the home team to post a sizeable target.
In Decoite Shield, Mountain Gate found form with the bat in their match against Olinda. Dale Kline scored 74, with Mitch Goddard (63) and Brad Croxford (40) helping the Gators to 6/256 at the end of the day’s play.
Monbulk continued their strong start to the year, posting 305 against Rowville. Jason Fraser (68) and Shane Cosstick (66) led from the start, with Aaron Powell (55) and Braden Taeuber (32) also coming to the party.
Whilst one Cosstick performed with the bat, the other performed with the ball as Cameron Cosstick claimed 6/46 from 23 overs against Knox Gardens. Several Falcons’ batsmen tried to counteract Cosstick’s bowling, with Adam Wild (38), Lachlan Stuckey (37) and Matt Young (36) all getting starts as part of Knox Garden’s 192.
South Belgrave enjoyed Talaskia Reserve, scoring 8/332 against St Johns Tecoma. Daniel Cormack (67) and Jordan McDermott (67) were key contributors, with Mark Baker (58) and Cameron Smith (56) also putting in the hard work as the Saints toiled hard.
