MASTER paceman Eamon Johnson and apprentice Sam Peeters tactfully picked apart Brown Hill on Saturday.
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The wicket was slow, so their careful delivery placement was essential not only to defend Wendouree’s tally but secure the Red Caps’ prime ladder spot in Ballarat Cricket Association club firsts for Christmas.
Johnson and Peeters shared nine wickets – Peeters taking 5-43, Johnson 4-50 – but most impressive was Peeters’ 4-0 haul off his last 10 balls.
No hattrick, just efficient mopping up.
Red Caps’ captain Cole Roscholler said Peeters’ bowling figures were great reward for lots of hard work the 21-year-old had put in for this season.
“He is still young for a fast bowler, learning his trade and learning how to find his best style and I think Sam’s found his,” Roscholler said. “He’s been in good form this season.
“It’s good to have Johnno back (from injury), someone we can rely on, stock-standard, in his bowling.
“(Johnson) is fantastic at training, talking to Sam and planning on how they can best get batsmen out together.”
Brown Hill resumed play on day two at 3-55 with a crucial partnership between opener Jack James and coach Dan Davies. Once the Red Caps broke them – James went first, dismissed via Peeters and caught behind on 34 runs – the game became about patience.
Roscholler said it was only after splitting the pairing that the Red Caps started to feel confident; they just needed to maintain a steady wicket flow.
The Bulls sat 5-140 at tea and by 4.30pm, the Red Caps’ work was done.
Davies fell to Johnson just after the break on 36 runs and, with captain Shane Harwood and key bats Jason and Ryan Knowles out on day one, it was left to veteran Peter Kane to see the match out.
Kane was unbeaten on 44 runs as Paul White, Matt McMahon and Tom Bourke-Finn all went for ducks as victims of Peeters’ sharp finish.
Now, Wendouree will reign supreme in BCA firsts this Christmas, three points clear of fast-improvers Golden Point. Roscholler said while it was a great start to the season, he team had to keep building.
This starts again with a one-dayer against reigning premier Mount Clear in January.
melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au