VICTORIAN SUB DISTRICT CRICKET ASSOCIATION – South East 1st XI Round 10 (day 1)
WHETHER Eagle or Bull, the result was the same on a tough day in the field for the home sides.
In a re-match of last year’s grand final, Noble Park was put to the sword by Oakleigh (253) as Andrew Splatt, held together the order in a textbook rear-guard half-century.
Playing with a point to prove – grand final revenge and honouring Ben Pinwill in his 300th match, Oakleigh fought throughout the order to put the pressure back on the Bulls.
Carrying on the strong work of the top order, pushing the tally past triple figures, Andrew Splatt, Chris Williamson (27) and Michael Splatt (34) notched back-to-back 50-run stands to leave Noble Park without much to smile about.
Spinner Rob Johnston (6/65) was the exception to Noble Park’s woes, as the spinner notched 23 overs and earned his first five-wicket haul of the season. Also standing up to rattle off the overs in the heat were Marasinghe Perera (1/56) and Ash Perera (0/32). It leaves the Bulls with a staggering chase on Saturday – which could prove the difference in the race for finals as Noble Park sits three points off the pace already heading into this round.
ENDEAVOUR HILLS v MALVERN
IN A tentative battle for one of the six finals’ spots, sixth place Endeavour Hills has a whopper of a chase next weekend after Malvern (8/256) posted a monster tally. Malvern’s Mike Jones (73) took the Eagles to all parts while Richard Saniga (3/45), captain Chris Pereira (2/48) and Vaughan Baxter (2/58) all toiled in the conditions to restrict the visitors.
