Keon Park wants to take both the points and North Brunswick/Rosebank’s second place on the ladder in North Metro Cricket’s Jika Shield.
A win to third-placed Keon Park on day two of the match on Saturday will see them move within two points of North Brunswick/Rosebank behind runaway leader Rivergum.
Keon Park made 250 on day one of the match at Cotchin Reserve on the back of 88 by Michael White and 82 from Ryan Docherty.
Captain Scott Nicholson said 250 was a par score.
“It puts us in the game and we’re pretty happy with what we made, although you always want a little more,” he said.
“Our bowling has been our strength all season, so we’re hoping it’s enough. Nobody has got 200 against us this season.”
Nicholson said his side’s batting was the key to its finals chances.
“It is 100 per cent the key,” he said. “The games we have lost we have let ourselves down with the bat. Our experienced players like White and Docherty are starting to hit form and younger players like Jordan McNamara are stepping up.”
Lalor Warriors, equal on points with Keon Park, is looking for an outright victory against Olympic Colts.
The Warriors bowlers made it hard work for the Colts batsmen, skittling them for 72.
The Warriors declared at 7-240 and left the Colts to face four overs at the end of the day to reach 0-3 by stumps.
An outright victory to the Warriors could see them move to second on the ladder if Keon Park beats North Brunswick/Rosebank on first innings.
Rivergum decided it was happy just to take first-innings points in the match between the top and bottom sides.
With Rivergum already guaranteed to finish on top of the ladder, the match against Preston YCW District was called off at stumps on day one, with Rivergum already claiming six points.
YCW District decided to bat first, but were left to rue that decision as they were bowled out for 77. Rivergum shared the wickets around with four players taking two each. In reply, Rivergum easily passed the total, finishing the day at 2-161.
