A late double-strike from North Eltham Wanderers left Old Paradians-St Francis with an uphill battle in its run chase this week in the DVCA’s Barclay Shield.
The Wolves enjoyed a flurry of wickets late on the day to extract North Eltham Wanderers for 195, only to lose two wickets of their own in eight overs before stumps.
Robert Thomas (4-28) and Udhara Hewa Wellalage (3-40) were the Wolves’ best bowlers.
Shaun Barker (9no) and Michael Cocks (2no) will resume with the score 2-13 this weekend.
At Yulong Park, a patient Lower Eltham ground out 7-176 against Bundoora through 80 overs. Shupinder Taggar (1-33) and Stuart Adams (2-34) struck early to have Lower Eltham 2-25. But wickets proved hard work thereafter, with Jason Kaminski (2-34) and Narinder Sharma (2-29) the multiple wicket-takers for the Bulls.
At DeWinton Park, visiting Plenty was unable to bowl out Rosanna, which made 7-227 in 80 overs. Andrew Villani (3-58) was best of the bowlers for Plenty.
At Epping, visiting Mernda recovered from 4-55 to post 8-176. Marcus Murphy (3-28) was best of the Epping bowlers.
In Money Shield, Bundoora United will chase 185 for victory this weekend after Hurstbridge made 184.
Paul Figueroa (90) held the Hurstbridge innings together, while Colin Sharkey (4-34) and Scott Barnett (3-56) led the wicket-taking for United.
At 2-56 by stumps, Lalor Stars is well advanced chasing Heidelberg’s 128.
Jamie Scott (5-43) led the Lalor Stars attack as Heidelberg was out by the 56th over.
Camrea Taipans will need to bowl well to defend a modest 164 against Montmorency (0-24). Chamidu Perera (56) was the only Taipans batsman to pass 20.
At Lower Plenty, South Morang was out for 93 as Lower Plenty reached 2-96 and took first innings points before declaring. South Morang was 0-18 in its second innings at stumps, a lead of 15.
Action in all grades continues on Saturday.
