Heading places: Bayswater's Bryce Galvin sends down a bouncer against Balwyn on Saturday. Picture: Ari Hatzis
BAYSWATER has put itself in position to stay in the Victorian Sub District Cricket Association finals race after the first day of its clash with Balwyn at Balwyn Park.
The Waters won the toss and put the Tigers into bat and the home side was looking in control early at 3-100.
But when seamer Tim Sugumar snared the wicket of Tigers opener Travis Miles (41), the Waters stormed back into the match. Bryce Galvin (4-47), Mark Collins (2-8), Sugumar (2-26) and Tim Emmett (2-29) powered the Waters' attack as the Tigers were bowled out for 176 from 49.1 overs. With 24 overs left in the day, the Waters looked poised to take a large chunk out of the Tigers total, getting to 0-29.
But three quick wickets left the visitors in trouble on 3-35 before Adam Watt (32 not out) and Collins (32 not out) formed an unbroken 59-run partnership to take Waters to 3-104 at stumps.
The win is far from certain but the Waters will start in the box seat when play resumes this Saturday.
Waters captain-coach Sean Flynn said his bowlers had done a mighty job.
"The bowlers were great. We didn't drop a catch and the Watt-Collins partnership has put us in a good position. But we will need to start well this Saturday."
An outright win would give either side a major fillip in the tight finals race, so Tigers captain Ben Hanley expects aggressive declarations on the second day.
"The first half hour will be crucial so, hopefully, we can get an early wicket and set ourselves up.
"And I'm sure they'll declare straight away if they pass us because they're in a similar position to us.
"But we have nothing to lose, so we'll definitely try to get quick runs and send them back in."
Play will resume at Balwyn Park at 1pm this Saturday.