There was a buzz in the air at stumps at Lakeside Drive Reserve on Saturday as Roxburgh Park/Broadmeadows launched a last-ditch effort for finals.
Currently ninth in the East/West First XI of Sub-District – and seven points adrift of sixth-placed Endeavour Hills – Roxburgh Park closed out day one against Box Hill just 58 short of victory but with four wickets down.
In stifling heat Box Hill captain Paul Gloury won the toss and elected to bat but saw his side reduced to 3/14.
Gloury, fresh from a commanding century against Altona in the previous round, went about restoring order with Aaron Walter.
The pair added 51 before Mitch Johnstone broke the partnership by having Gloury caught for 33.
Walter (26) didn’t last much longer and neither did Box Hill’s resistance, dismissed for 109. Mitch Streiff was best with 5/21.
Needing to face 17 overs to finish the day Roxburgh Park managed an even worse start than Box Hill, at one stage losing four wickets withour making a run to crash to 4/10.
But Streiff (32) and Johnstone (9) held onto their wickets and ensured Roxburgh Park reached 4/52 by stumps.
