APART from a dazzling century by Golden Point's Damian Klein and a punishing unbeaten 97 by Wendouree's Craig Jenkins, humid conditions helped contribute to some low scores in the majority of matches on day one of round
four of club firsts in the Ballarat Cricket Association on Saturday.
The wicket did a bit early at the Western Oval, and Brown Hill opening paceman Andrew Stevens took total advantage of it - claiming 4-30.
Coronet City slumped to 4-8 and stumbled along to be all out 89 after tea.
In reply, Brown Hill was 2-23 with Brad Coyle unbeaten on 10 and night watchman Stevens not out on one.
Not only did Stevens take the best figures for the round, he was well supported by the pace and lift of Simon Lockyer who claimed 3-19 including City captain Brendan Burns for 26, caught behind by Paul White.
Burns featured in a potentially face-saving partnership of 41 with Mark Sculley who has shown plenty with the bat this season - Sculley the sixth wicket out making 24 runs and then Burns shortly later to end City's hope of
a competitive innings at 7-61 at tea.
Thirty-eight runs after tea was never going to be enough as Brown Hill has just 67 runs to get with eight wickets in hand and a formidable batting line-up to come.
AT THE Eastern Oval, Golden Point hammered home the advantage against Napoleons-Sebastopol - 5-253 compulsory closure.
Although opener Brad Palmer was out for a duck to the medium pace of young gun Ashley Ringin, fellow opener Matt Kelton blasted 52 before a rash cut shot bought him undone, edging the ball to wicketkeeper Les Sandwith
off Leigh Dark, while Luke Corden continued to bowl without much luck at the other end.
Corden bowled five maiden overs to start his spell but got the big wicket of Klein and also Dean Romeril late in the day.
But it was Klein's day with 12 boundaries, ably supported by Brett Jones who, at the other end, went "ball-listic" late in the day with 59 runs including 12 boundaries and a three.
Glen Lloyd got the wicket of Jones but it was all too late with Point in the box seat to continue its winning way and to retain top spot.
AT DARLEY Park, Craig Jenkins showed his polish and refinement as a batsman with an unbeaten 97, falling just three runs short of his century before compulsory closure brought Wendouree's inning to a close on 9-253.
In a similar score to Golden Point and a similar support role innings for Wendouree, Matt Skinner knocked over 47 runs as Jenkins continued on in his meritorious innings.
Young Lion Jarryd King, who took three wickets in a Kirton Shield match last weekend, also took 3-27 this weekend with his express pace.
AT THE City Oval, Mt Clear fought back late in the day, claiming three Ballarat-Redan wickets for 17, defending just 145.
Sean Lynch, coming back from an eye injury, also was out without scoring while captain Chris Bambury remains not out three and Ryan Knowles is unbeaten on 5.
Mt Clear got off to a shaky start with Leigh Thompson having Matt Clark caught for two, Clark overbalancing and coughing up the ball to short leg where Greg Wakeling took the catch.
It was then a procession of wickets with Rian McKee, Shaun Mendis and captain Paull Jeffrey going cheaply as the Mounties slumped to 4-25.
Only a pair of 27s by No 10 and No 11 batsmen Lincoln Blake and Cameron Snowden saved the day for the Mounties.
Brett Mason was lively with his quicks knocking over 3-29 including the valuable top order of McKee, Mendis and Jeffrey.
Captain Bambury also chipped in for 2-16 with his nagging line and length.
AT WENDOUREE No 1 Oval, East Ballarat was cruising at one stage at 2-117 with left-hander Nathan Yates on 55 and captain Simon Irving supporting him well at the other end.
But then disaster struck with Yates going out for 60 to a catch from Phil Crouch off Peter "P.C." Cartledge.
Without scoring Chris Gardiner went a few balls later, bowled by captain Carman Mapatuna, and dynamic lefthander Brad Simpkin was out lbw to Cartledge for his second scalp.
Irving went on to make 58 valuable runs as East battled to make a total of 166, mostly because of some excellent bowling by opening paceman Daniel Hopkinson who claimed 4-39, conceding just over two runs an over.
At stumps, Jeremy Collier had blasted through the North top order to send three batsmen packing for just 12 runs in eight overs including two maidens.
At 3-32, the match is delicately poised for next week.