Two wickets in the final 15 minutes of the day’s play swung the momentum the way of North Ballarat on Saturday.
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The Roosters were all out in the 74th over, a Jason Crosbie century helping the total to 228 runs, leaving East Ballarat an awkward three overs to face.
And it did not go to plan for the Hawks as Adam Eddy trapped Jai McHenry in front of the stumps in the second over and Ash McCafferty then rattled the stumps of fellow opener Mark Shaw to have East Ballarat reeling at 2-2 at the close of play.
Captain Eddy said those two wickets at the end of the day were crucial, but stressed there was still a lot of work to be done to get the six points in a match that would that secure its spot in the top four.
“The boys are pretty upset with the way we’ve played over the last four weeks, so to turn it around and have a good day was great,” Eddy said.
“The last couple of weeks we’ve put in a lot of work and it’s starting to show.”
Eddy said it would have been nice to get a few more runs on the board but it was definitely a defendable total.
Crosbie starred with the bat, combining with the competition’s leading run-scorer Leigh Lorenzen, who made 55, for a 90-run opening stand.
But the tail did not hold-up as well, North Ballarat losing its last five wickets for 28.
Josh Brown and Oliver Hayes took three wickets each.
“They’re a pretty good team...the boys batted really well, obviously you always want more, but to have them 2-2 overnight is pretty good as well.
“We’re in the box seat – just – we’re going to have bowl very well to get the win.”
Meanwhile Golden Point is poised to keep its unbeaten season going after posting 292 runs against Mt Clear.
Strangely enough, it will return next Saturday to bat one more over after 19 minutes of play was lost due to rain and therefore ran out of time to complete the allotted overs.
Regardless, the Mounties will be up for a big run chase next week.
To Golden Point’s surprise it was sent in to bat and openers Nathan Bagley (29 runs) and Stephen O’Loughlin (65 runs) made good use of that, putting on 106 runs for the opening stand before Mt Clear struck twice in quick succession.
But inform players Josh White (69 runs) and Manjula De Zoysa (64 run) steadied the ship and put together another big partnership – a 131-run stand.
Skipper White was pleased with the day.
“It was a good score, the boys did well,” White said.
“We lost a couple of wickets after the opening partnership, but we were able to get another partnership together and keep rolling.
“We’ve still got to bowl well and field well, but it’s a good start, hopefully we can knock them over.”
Wendouree batsmen Matt Smith fell devastatingly short of a century, finishing 97 not out as the Red Caps made 269 from their 80 overs against Brown Hill.
The aggressive batsmen sent the Bulls’ attack to all parts, needing just 84 balls to notch up his 97.
Ryan Simmonds also made 52 at the top of the order.
Fraser Hunt was the pick of the bowlers, taking 5-51.
At Darley, the Lions are in prime position to keep their season alive, bowling Ballarat-Redan out for 149 runs.
Darley sent the inform Combine into bat, which proved a good decision.
Ben Longhurst leading the charge with the ball, taking 5-41.
Darley then saw off a tricky 14 overs to end the day at 0-15.