A five-wicket haul from Emmett Bronca and a pair of 50s from Joseph Blake and Konrad Kurta puts Yarraville Club in a commanding position after day one of their Victorian Turf Cricket Association clash with Tullamarine last weekend.
The Clubbers became the first side to claim premiership points in senior division, rolling the home side for 140 en route to 2-165 at stumps, putting a stranglehold on the contest.
Unveiling boom recruit Will Sheridan – who comes from Premier Cricket outfit Monash Tigers with 12 first-class games with Victoria to his name – Yarraville took control with a new ball, and never gave it back throughout their 41 overs on the field. While Sheridan had a tidy start with 3-42, Bronca stole the show, grabbing 5-38 off a dozen classy overs.
With 39 overs to bat, the visitors had a slight scare when Jonathon Blake (3) departed early. But that brought Joseph Blake (67) and Kurta (70) together, and they re-asserted control with a 136-run stand.
Kurta’s dismissal late in the day brought Sheridan to the crease and, with a century for Monash last season, he is more than capable of piling on the runs when he resumes on 13 this week.
In north west division, Footscray United face a difficult chase on day two after they dismissed Haig Fawkner for 259 in the first day’s penultimate over.
Srinath Vanapalli was the pick of the bowlers with 4-46 off 22.2 overs, while Syed Abbas was good with the new ball, snaring 2-34 off 18 overs.
Altona North were 0-57 chasing Laverton’s 170 at the close of play, while Seddon is on the brink of defeat after being dismissed for 113 by West Coburg.
West Coburg is already 4-101, with Seddon needing a minor miracle to avoid losing first innings points when play resumes on Saturday.
Ewen McRae
