By Jonty Ralphsmith
Two late wickets have given Merinda Park a sniff of an upset after Pakenham controlled most of day one of their round 5 clash at Toomuc Reserve.
An exceptional show of disciplined bowling after the loss of four early wickets had the Cobras bowled out for 146, despite batting for 72 overs.
Tom Tyrell, James Close, Nick Sadler, Dominic Paynter, Jason Williams and Jordan Seers all went at an economy rate of below two runs an over.
There was just nine scoring shots off the bat in the first 23 overs in an impressive display of partnership bowling which built pressure and caused Merinda Park to search for runs, bringing about wickets.
Close got the crucial breakthroughs of top-order batters Daniel McCalman and Tobias Van Den Heever, while Tyrell took 3/20 off 14 overs.
Middle-order batter Campbell Bryan top-scored for Merinda Park with 38.
But Pakenham was unable to bat the four overs remaining until stumps unscathed, with Cobras opening bowler Tyson Bertrand claiming 2/0 off his two overs.
The Lions sit at 2/9 at stumps, with skipper Jack Anning and Dan Evans back in the sheds, but run-scoring machine Chris Smith is yet to bat.
Pakenham will have confidence despite the early setbacks given Merinda Park failed to defend 409 in round 4 against Kooweerup.
At Cardinia, Bulls captain-coach Mark Cooper had a mixed day against his former side but has steered his team to a good position in a clash of the two undefeated teams.
Cooper’s legspinners helped clean up the Demons for 174, with the skipper taking 4/22.
The wickets put Cooper alongside Kooweerup’s Luke McMaster as the leading wicket takers in the league with 10, while the allrounder has also contributed 143 runs so far this season.
Fellow leggie Yohan Arumadura took three wickets including the crucial scalp of Shiran Rathnayake for 49.
In pursuit, Cardinia sits at 1/34, having lost Cooper for just one.
Despite being one of the pacesetters of the competition, the Bulls have done it with a series of bit-part contributions with the bat.
All key players have got multiple starts which has contributed to their undefeated streak, but the highest score is 70, so they will be hoping one of John Nooy or Arumadura can bat through and form the backbone of the innings.
A hattrick to youngster Liam Simpson and three wickets to Tooradin opening bowler Tyler Evans has led Tooradin to a day one victory over Upper Beaconsfield.
Simpson has had limited opportunity with the ball this season, bowling just 13 overs in his four matches prior to Saturday in his first full season playing in the First Xi for the Seagulls.
He again was given only four overs against the Maroons, but his hattrick ripped through the opposition’s lower-middle order just as they threatened to rebuild.
Simpson has also scored two enterprising cameos in the lower-order so far this season as he establishes himself in the team.
The Seagulls bowled the visitors out for 120 and are sitting at 1-131 in response with Josh Lownds unbeaten on 65, at the crease with skipper Mick Sweeney.
Cal O’Hare guided the chase with positive intent before being dismissed late in the day by Chad McDonald.
The strong first day has Tooradin well-positioned to push for an outright victory, which would be a critical result given a surprise 2-2 beginning to the season for the reigning premier.
Daniel Brennan top scored for the Maroons with 36, while Nick Pastras was the pick of the bowlers.
At Devon Meadows, Clyde is hunting its first win after Trevor Bauer led it to a total of 315 despite offie Jakeb McVicar taking six wickets.
Bauer was patient and built into his innings nicely, finishing with 116 off 211 balls.
Partnership batting and positive intent against a spin-heavy attack was the key to Clyde’s big total, which was set up by an 80-run opening stand between Kane Avard and Bauer.
Anurudda Fonseka’s 62 off 70 was also crucial in accelerating the innings through the middle overs.
