Bowlers put Noble Park in control

NOBLE Park Cricket Club’s first XI has placed itself in a good position after dismissing Preston for 190 in their Victorian Sub District Cricket Association match on Saturday.
With Preston winning the toss and batting on a typical flat Noble Park wicket, it was Steve Croft who got the initial breakthrough with the total on 11.
Croft was involved in the second wicket when his direct hit saw the batsman short of his crease, Preston 2/36 after 19 overs.
It was slow going for the visitors with the run rate hovering at less than two an over as Andrew Berman picked up the next three wickets in a 13-over spell in which he conceded only 16 runs.
Preston reaching the tea break at 5/78 after 41 overs.
When Paul McDonald picked up his first wicket in the third over after tea, the score was 6/88.
A 76-run stand got the Preston innings back on track before Rod Douthie and Andrew Brown combined to manufacture a run out.
They came together again seven runs later as Douthie enticed a snick, which Brown duly caught.
Preston was 9/175 when Croft picked up his second wicket, with Kynan Ford, who had bowled superbly all day, finally rewarded with the last wicket.
Berman finishing with 3/34, Croft with 2/63 off 24 overs, Ford with 1/24 off 15.2, McDonald with 1/30 and Douthie 1/13
The second XI dismissed Preston for 209 with David Parker taking 3/28, Sean Schubert 2/30 and Asha Ganser 2/22.
An 88-run partnership between Andrew Dennis and Andrew Love saved the third XI from embarrassment with the team dismissed for 188.
Dennis made 90 and Love 30 in an otherwise poor performance from a team that was undefeated.
In reply Caulfield is 0/25.
The fourth XI lost its one day game against Caulfield after reacing 5/134 off 40 overs.
Michael Martindale continued his great form with an unbeaten 80, with Brede Seccull contributing 26.
Caulfield in reply passed the total without loss.