A Lahiru Jayakody century has boosted Tooradin to a competitive score of 263 against Devon Meadows at Booring Reserve on Saturday.
As they always do, openers Cal O’Hare and Josh Lownds braved the new ball and batted wonderfully, providing yet another strong partnership at the top and a platform in which the Seagulls could build their innings on.
Lownds (37) was the first man to go after being caught off the bowling of Ben Marsh, leaving the visitors at 1/55.
It marked the fourth straight game that O’Hare and Lownds had combined for 50 or more runs to open an innings.
“They’re both obviously very experienced and smart cricketers so they both feed off each other and set the game up really well,” Tooradin coach Luke Sibley said of his opening pair.
“Josh has taken it to the bowlers this year a little bit more than he has in the past.
“I don’t think there’s a better opening partnership going around than what we’ve got.”
Jayakody then got stuck in, piling on scores with O’Hare to form another big stand.
O’Hare passed the half ton mark but was removed shortly after for 58 when he was trapped in front by Zach Bates.
Four quick wickets fell at the other end, but Jayakody remained unfazed as he brought up a maiden ton for the Seagulls.
His century was patient, coming off 153 balls and included nine boundaries.
Marsh then got to work for the Panthers, ripping through the lower order with his leggies to bowl Tooradin out for 263.
Marsh finished with figures of 6/73 off his 22.2 overs bowled, by far his best numbers of the season.
Jayakody (101) led the visitors, followed by O’Hare (53), Lownds (37) and Brad Butler (21).
“The first 60 overs we were really happy with,” Sibley said.
“I don’t think we finished off very well, I think we left a few runs out there.”
However, Jayakody’s knock was the highlight of the day and Sibley has been incredibly impressed with the Drouin recruit so far.
He has scored 333 runs this season, including previous knocks of 89, 54, 41 and 37.
“He’s just a very talented cricketer,” Sibley said of the star bat.
“He’s probably been a bit unlucky not to have one (a century) earlier in the year, but he keeps going from strength to strength.
“It was very patient, he does like to tick it along a bit.
“He just waited for the bad balls and put it away when it came and then ticked over the ones and twos in the meantime.
“It was a very patient, smart innings.
“He’s an exceptional player.”
The target of 264 has been set for Devon Meadows on day two, and Sibley admitting there were some keys to unlocking the victory for his side.
“We need to make sure we stay in the contest longer than they do,” he said.
“The one thing we haven’t done well yet is bowl well with the new ball.
“That’s been our Achilles heel a little bit so far this season.
“They’ve got Lucas Ligt who’s a very talented bat and young Ethan Wood is in super form so early wickets are going to be the key.
“We’ve normally finished off games really well.
“The most positive thing is we’ve got a lot of up-shot still to come on the bowling and fielding side of things.
“Batting is going really well, but we haven’t reached anywhere near our peak with the ball or in the field.”
Ligt ensured the Panthers went through to the second day unscathed, defending six balls from Ryan Birkett before settling for stumps.
At Upper Beaconsfield Reserve, a balanced attack from the Maroons held Kooweerup to a score of just 180 after 77 overs.
Down both McMaster brothers and gun pace bowler Jess Mathers, the depleted Demons couldn’t add much outside of a half ton from Shiran Rathnayake (54) and healthy contributions from Chris Bright (48) and Rob Maskiell (20).
Upper Beaconsfield skipper Will Haines bowled exceptionally, taking 3/15 from 10 overs while Kyle Gibbs, Josh Westra and Scott Pitcher all bagged two poles each.
The Maroons chase 181 on their home deck on day two.
