BCA grand final firsts,Wendouree vs Naps-Sebas.
WENDOUREE’S bid at an historic fifth-straight premiership remains on track.
The Red Caps are well poised after the opening two days of the Ballarat Cricket Association club firsts grand final against Napoleons-Sebastopol, having taken advantage at Eastern Oval across the weekend.
A brilliant display with the ball on a rain-affected opening day got things off to a good start for the reigning four-time champions, rolling Naps-Sebas for 53, before the underdogs hit back to keep themselves in the game yesterday.
Five wickets from quick Brendan Thomson saw Wendouree dismissed for 165, giving it a lead of 112 runs.
A gritty final session from Naps-Sebas late last night kept them in the contest, with captain-coach Dan Davies and night watchman Justin Ringin greeting stumps at 1-19. As it stands, the Red Caps hold a lead of 93 with two days to play.
Wendouree captain Heath Pyke said he was pleased with the position his team found itself in moving into day three.
“On the whole, to be in front heading into next weekend is a nice position to be in, but at the end of the day you’ve got to be realistic about it and there’s still two days of cricket to be played,” Pyke said.
Davies, meanwhile, was happy his side could fight its way back into the match after a disastrous opening day.
“We are a lot more in game than this time last year,” Davies said.
“Reality is that we are still 90 runs behind.
“As good of a day as we had (Sunday), it didn’t quite match the poor day we had (Saturday).
“We have to bat really well next Saturday and bowl well on Sunday.”
With victory there, the Red Caps will become the first team in the BCA to win five-straight club firsts flags.
The club achieved four-straight titles between seasons 1979-80 and 1982-83, with Mt Clear the only others to do it, winning between 1964-65 and 1967-68.
Naps-Sebas is chasing their first A-grade title.
tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au