CRICKET
TDCA
Ex Students found itself in immediate strife on day one of play in round five against MTY Raiders.
The Sharks won the toss and went in to bat brimming with confidence but were quickly brought back to earth when Jimmy Pryde fell for a duck, Morgan Murray-Williams for one and Lee Stockdale for two,
The defending premier was left reeling at 3/6 before the middle order rescued the ship and scrambled to a total of 165.
Ric Battista continued his run of form with a top knock of 73 to take his season tally past the 400 mark and Michael Stockdale was next best for Ex Students with a contribution of 24.
Lee Jensen and Ross Whelpdale shared lead bowling honours for Raiders with three wickets each.
Tom Woodley was also handy and took an economical 2/2 from just three overs including one maiden.
Raiders head into day two in promising form with openers Jason MacFarlane and Michael Higgins still at the crease on 18 and 13, respectively.
CATS v Gormandale
CATS won the toss and sent Gormandale into bat at the weekend and immediately stamped its mark on the game as the Tigers found themselves in trouble at 8/66.
A spirited eighth wicket fight back partnership of 77 between Bohdi Walker and Jefferson Daniel got the Tigers back on track.
Walker batted beautifully to top score with 76 while Daniel made a crucial 29 to see the Tigers all out 148.
Tinash Pangyangara was superb and claimed his third four-wicket haul for the season with 4/49 including the wickets of Shaun Barbour and Adrian Burgiel.
Adam Nunn also bowled well and took 3/44 to take his 2017/18 wicket tally to 10.
As the clouds circled CATS batted for five overs before the heavens opened and rain washed out play.
The Tigers struck back hard as key batsman Rory Hare went for a duck and Tim Derham for one to stand at 2/1 at stumps.
Brandon McDonald claimed both opening wickets while Jamie Cochrane and Ben Julin will lead the way for CATS when play resumes this weekend.
Churchill v Glengarry
Churchill lacked bite against Glengarry, slumping to 7/49 at George Cain Oval on day one.
John Keighran made 30, while Kurt Holt rescued the side with a top score of 40.
Ryan Harvey chipped in with a vital 27 to see the Cobras all out 132 in the 56th over.
Cam Graham and Frank Marks were lethal for Glengarry with ball in hand and both took three wickets.
Churchill fought back and defended hard with ball in hand to see Glengarry teetering at 6/87.
Frank Marks has the top score to date with 35 for the visitors while Sam Marks on 30 was the only other batsman to reach double figures for Glengarry.
Brad Sizeland and Ben Marks are still at the crease for Glengarry and will open proceedings when play resumes this weekend.
Centrals v Rovers
Centrals left a lot to be desired in the opener against Rovers at the weekend and were bundled out for a measly 102 at Duncan Cameron Reserve.
The away side wasn’t helped when Shaun Vallance was taken for a duck and Lachlan Patterson suffered the same fate soon after.
Corey Pollard wasn’t able to steady the ship and fell for just four before Ty Hourigan made 28, Sam Gray contributed 20 and Ethan Foley added 19 to put up a late fight.
Jack Lynch was the standout bowler for Rovers and tore through the top order with 4/20 including five maidens and the wickets of openers Pollard and Patterson from 17 overs.
Rovers had to bat out 22 overs at the end of the day before stumps was called and sit at 1/45 with Scott Woodhead and Ewan Williams still alive.
Traralgon West v Toongabbie
Traralgon West continued with its batting woes in season 2017/18 at the weekend on day one against Toongabbie.
It was all down hill after top order batsmen Reece Falla and Tim Fitch made 22 and 33, respectively, and a collapse saw all others fall for single figures.
Toongabbie have already taken the points and are at 4/142 at stumps.
