The Old Paradians/St Francis middle order and tail have a challenging task ahead of them if the Wolves are to secure victory against Bundoora in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association’s Barclay Shield.
After being sent in, the Bulls made 175 in an innings that never got momentum.
Every time the Bulls looked to have a partnership established, they would lose a wicket. Rubal Singh-Dhillon (56) and skipper Shupinder Taggar (52) were the only batsmen to get past 20.
Supun Passikku Hannadige was the best of the Wolves’ bowlers with 5-52.
With plenty of overs left in the day, the Wolves had time to set up their innings, but were left to rue missed opportunities as they looked to keep in touch with the top four.
They were 0-43, before losing openers Damian Wegener and John Bubis without adding runs to the scoreboard. The Wolves lost another three wickets before stumps to finish day one 5-80 and still 96 runs short of victory.
Shaun Barker (2no) and skipper Jason Berthet (1no) will resume on day two.
Epping looked like it was cruising at 0-103 – but then it all went wrong.
Epping lost four wickets for eight runs and the wickets kept falling.
Epping was bowled out for 171, having lost 10-68. Opener Nathaniel Biggs top-scored with 64.
Lower Eltham started well with the bat and will resume at 1-37 on Saturday.
In the Money Shield, only a complete disaster or Melbourne’s weather will deny Mernda victory against Banyule.
Mernda’s bowlers did their job by bowling Banyule out for 120 in the 57th over.
Opening bowler Damon Earp was the stand-out, taking five wickets.
It looked just as easy for the Demons batsmen, who took their side to 1-113, just eight runs short of victory.
Stuart Wright will be looking to continue on and make a century. He will resume at 78 not out. Bageshwar Bisht will resume on 0.
Plenty Power negotiated three overs without loss in its bid to chase down Whittlesea’s 152.
Lalor Stars need 258 for victory against ladder leader Eltham, which made 8-257.
Jordan Steele was the best of the bowlers with four wickets.
Bundoora United will also be looking for runs on Saturday against Heidelberg as it searches for its first win of the season.
Heidelberg made 9-207 from its 80 overs at the weekend.
United shared the wickets around, with all bowlers taking at least one wicket. Scott Barnett was the best with three.
