Wendouree has put itself in the box seat after the first two days of the Ballarat Cricket Association first grade grand final against Darley, taking a 65-run advantage into the second innings.
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The Red Caps posted 268 runs on Saturday and after the Lions looked to be returning an equally impressive score at 0-76, within 70 minutes the Red Caps had struck five times to have Darley reeling at 5-103.
The Lions were dismissed for 203 courtesy of a handy 31-run partnership from the final pair.
Ryan Simmonds led the attack, taking 6-60.
Wendouree will resume at 1-0 on Saturday having lost Sam Jackson – its night watchmen – throughout an awkward four-over period to end the day.
Wendouree captain Cole Roscholler was very pleased with the weekend’s outcome, but insisted there was still plenty of work to do before it could start thinking about premiership success.
”At the start of Saturday, to take a 70-odd run lead is something you’re always going to jump at,” Roscholler said.
“I think we played some really good cricket, there were some ebbs and flows on both days but to come out 65 runs ahead and only one down tonight, I think we’re in a really positive position.
“But in saying that, we can’t just rest on our laurels and just think it’s going to happen – we still have to go out and play really good cricket next week.
“We got a couple of good wickets in a row and the game changed from there. To bowl them out for 200 on a pretty good deck I think is a real testament.
“It’s very cliche, but we’ve got to try and play our natural game...just be positive in what we do.”
Darley captain-coach Heath Pritchard was disappointed the side could not go on with its impressive opening partnership, but took solace in the fact the game was still up for grabs.
The equation is simple for the Lions now, taking 10 Wendouree scalps was a must as was an improved batting display.
“At 0-70 we were in a pretty good position and then we just lost a couple of crucial wickets which was disappointing, but to fight it out and get over 200 in the end was a pretty good effort,” Pritchard said.
“We live to fight another day, I suppose that’s the advantage of a four-day grand final.
“At the moment they’re 1-60, that’s the way to look at it…we’re giving ourselves a chance.”
