Noble Park bowlers face challenge

NOBLE Park’s first XI will need to bowl well this week to keep its finals hopes alive after being dismissed for 201 against Box Hill in their Premier League match on Saturday.
Noble Park’s innings didn’t get off to the ideal start when Andrew O’Meara, Gavin Hurley and Rod Douthie were all back in the shed with only 31 runs on the board.
When Andrew Brown (38) joined them in the 31st over the situation was precarious at 4/53. Jon Stones and Damien Fleming then shared a 75-run stand before Fleming was caught for 46.
With Sharni Perera’s stay at the crease brief, Stones and Mark Rendle saw the total to 152 when Stones was out one run short of his half-century. It was 8/169 when Rendle departed for 20.
Kynan Ford and Paul McDonald added a further 26 to push the total towards 200 before McDonald was out with the total on 195. Ash Perera and Ford took the total to 201 when Perera was the last man out, Ford finishing 23 not out.
The second XI reached 181 thanks to 97 by captain Darren Seccull. But Seccull got little support from his team as no other player reached 20.
Box Hill survived six overs to be 0/6 at stumps.
The third XI will need to reverse its poor batting form to get the points after Box Hill made 9/240. Andrew Love put in a big-hearted performance, bowling unchanged from tea to finish with 5/72 from 23 overs.
The fourth XI have taken first-innings points, dismissing Box Hill for 65 and reaching 2/74 at stumps. The bowling honours were shared by six wicket takers, Justin Hart (2/4), Andrew Dennis (2/5), Asha Ganser (2/10), Andrew Parker (2/10), Mark Jacotine (1/8) and Andrew Murray (1/9). Lamith Paranapalliyage (32) and Justin Hart (19) were the not-out batsmen, having shared a 55-run partnership after being 2/19.