Epping will need quick wickets on day two of its match against Riverside in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association’s Barclay Shield if it’s to maintain its unbeaten start to the season.
After a good win in round one and being one of only two teams to get a win in a rain-affected second round, for Epping a third straight win would help put it above the pack.
But a less than ideal batting performance on Saturday against Riverside has left it with a lot of work to do on day two.
Epping skipper John Lever was left to rue some poor running during the side’s innings of 124.
“We started well with the bat,” he said. “Run-outs started to halt things and made it hard. We had three run-outs for the day, which was disappointing. The lower order put on 30-odd at the end and pushed the score to 124.”
Anthony Licovski top-scored with 37 before being run out. Only three batsmen reached double figures.
In reply, Riverside was 2-48 at stumps.
Lever and John Kulikowski took the wickets for Epping.
Lever said the side was hoping for a similarly strong showing by its bowlers to that delivered in the first two rounds.
“We would have liked a couple more wickets going into day two,” he said. “It’s a good group of bowlers – we’re never out of it with this group.”
Lever said the bowling line-up was similar to that of last season, with the addition of Andrew Bennett and Nathaniel Biggs.
Bennett comes from Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association side Plenty Valley, while Biggs, who has missed this game, comes from St Andrews Cricket Club Pascoe Vale.
Lever said Bennett, who has kids playing at the club, had provided some extra experience to the young side, which had lacked consistency in the past couple of seasons.
In other games, Bundoora skipper Shupinder Taggar made 80 in his side’s total of 296 against North Eltham Wanderers. Taggar and Thomas Cummins put on 90 for the first wicket.
Old Paradians/St Francis need quick wickets on day two of their match against Lower Eltham.
The Wolves scored just 149 before being bowled out in the 71st over. Shaun Barker top-scored with 149.
Lower Eltham will resume at 3-19.
In the Money Shield, Lalor Stars are just nine runs from conceding first-innings points against Lower Plenty. Plenty Power will resume at 1-7 needing 197 against Mernda and Whittlesea needs 208 against Heidelberg.
