By ROY WARD
SPRINGVALE South’s tail wagged at exactly the right time to help the Bloods put on 307 on day one of their DDCA turf 1 clash with Narre Warren on Saturday.
The Bloods won the toss and batted in exceptional conditions at Sweeney Reserve and, despite falling to 2-32, their mainstays Steve Masterson (50) and Tim Ford (52) put together a 75-run partnership for the third wicket before Ford was dismissed.
Masterson batted on until tea, forming partnerships with Jeevantha Kulatunga (34), Andrew Staude (40) and skipper Craig Slocombe (32) as the Bloods passed 200.
Three quick wickets late in the innings could have left the Bloods with a total of 250, but 10th-wicket pair Jarrod Armitage (40) and Dillon Fernandesz (25 not out) put on 52 for the last wicket to see their side to 307.
James Giertz (4-69) and Nathan King (3-49) led the Magpies’ bowlers. The Magpies had one over to bat and got to 0-6 at stumps, needing 302 to win when the match resumes this Saturday.
Slocombe, who feared his side would be left with a short total, praised the work of his 10th-wicket pair. “It was a really good batting wicket with a fast outfield,” he said.
“A score of 250 wouldn’t have been good enough on this pitch, it was really a 280-300 wicket. It’s a good sign when the tail wags; we did it in the previous game as well. It’s good to know we have them there, but we would rather have them not bat at all if our batsmen could finish it off.”
Slocombe said his batsmen still had room for improvement, given that the majority of the top order made good starts but couldn’t go on with it.
The Bloods will go into day two confident they can defend their total with Ford at full fitness and ready to bowl after struggling with injuries during the winter. “You are always confident you can defend 300,” Slocombe said. “They’ll have to bat well to get those runs.”
Berwick will be looking for an outright win over Coomoora when their match resumes this Saturday. The Wickers already hold a 42-run lead at 6-137.
Earlier in the day the Roos were bowled out for 95 with West Indian import Ryan Hercules (3-17), Ryan Crawford (3-23) and Ash Henry (2-33) doing the damage.
Dandenong West batsman Andrew Roberts made 114 as his side posted 238 against Doveton, which faces a tough fight when it resumes on 1-7 this Saturday.
North Dandenong also faces a big chase this Saturday, with Mordialloc making 4-293 at Ben Kavanagh Reserve. Aaron Martello (126) powered Mordy’s innings and Glen Pepper (2-55) was the best of North’s bowlers.
Hallam Kalora Park put up a small total in its clash with Heinz Southern Districts, making just 132. But HSD could do little with the bat either and finished play on 1-22.
No results were provided from the Buckley Ridges v Parkfield clash.
The DDCA Twenty20 competition begins at 5.30pm this Wednesday.
For a full Twenty20 schedule go to ddca.com.au.
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