UPWEY-TECOMA captain Sam Taylor brought Knox Falcons back down to earth in the first day of their FTGDCA Norm Reeves Shield match at Argyle Way on Saturday.
The Tigers registered an imposing 5-378 on the back of Taylor’s 157 not out.
Taylor, a dual Feaver Medallist in the FTGDCA, is a veteran of 187 Premier Cricket matches for Richmond and as was evident in last year’s grand final, a player who places great value on his wicket.
The Falcons face a big ask to chase down the Tigers’ total when play resumes this Saturday.
Ferntree Gully regained some batting form to register a par score of 241 at Knoxfield with solid performances from Shane Richardson (48), Josh Henry and Paul Veltri. Knights opening bowler Trent Evans led from the front and continues to impress with four wickets.
The game between top side Eildon Park and third-placed Upper Gully is evenly poised as the Panthers were dismissed for 205 with several players getting a start. For Upper Gully, Mr Reliable, Marc Hardy collected 4-45.
Footballers were on top for most of the day at Fairpark where they had Johnson Park 8-112 from 44 overs at the tea break.
At one stage, the Sharks were 1-66 before the batting collapse with opener Bryn Gaunt, the last man out for 63. Set 132 for victory, the Ballers were 3-47 at stumps and should cause an upset.
The Basin will have its work cut out, as it chases 312 next week at Belgrave with Magpies batsmen John Levell (62) and Simon Hill (81) leading the charge against the Bears attack.
In second division, Adam Hardy had the Mt Gate hierarchy searching for the record books when he belted 220 not out against Lysterfield.
The Gators racked up 4-362 at the Windermere oval against a Beavers bowling line-up without Kyle Snyman. Rowville (3-38) could surprise South Belgrave (141) aided by the return of perennial premiership player Darren Hill who took 3-56 in his first game in Hawks colours since 2006.
Monbulk (3-106) has taken first innings points on the first day over St Johns Tecoma (95) and will probably throw the willow for an hour next week in a bid to chase maximum points.
FTGDCA got off to a winning start at Bendigo Senior Country Week on Monday beating the Murray Valley CA by five wickets, Jayden Bradbury leading the way with 88 not out as his side chased down Murray Valley’s 9-174 to finish on 5-184. The competition continues throughout the week.