If Wendouree wanted any hope of playing Ballarat Cricket Association first grade finals this season, step one was defeating North Ballarat.
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But those hopes were dashed in the early stages of Saturday afternoon as North Ballarat stormed through Wendouree’s batting line-up after drinks.
Red Caps were in a solid position at 2-66 before Adam Eddy and Connor Miles delivered a knockout blow with the ball.
Eddy and Miles took 5-15 and 4-32 respectively as Wendouree were dismissed for 92 runs, the final six batsman on the scoreboard contributing just three runs.
North Ballarat had no issues reeling in the total, opening pair Janath Tissera (49 runs) and Leigh Lorenzen (39) putting on 91 runs.
North ended the day at 3-150 after 40 overs, ensuring it took first innings points to deny Wendouree, which sits 10 points off fourth-placed North Ballarat with two matches remaining in the season.
Captain Lorenzen said it was an outstanding bowling display, particularly from Eddy and Miles.
While 13 runs off the first over of North’s innings put Wendouree immediately on the back foot.
“After drinks it was really good to get the wickets,” Lorenzen said.
“The wicket was flat, there really wasn’t much in it for the bowlers, which our innings suggested,
“it was really good cricket for him (Eddy) five wickets. Connor stuck to our plans and for him to get four wickets was really pleasing.
“Chasing 90 runs, even though it’s not much, it can be tough sometimes.
“If you lose a couple of quick ones you’re into our middle-order, which haven’t been going too flash all year. So for myself and Janath to get within a couple of runs was really good.
“They were down from the first over and we really kicked on from there.”
Lorenzen felt there was little chance of outright victory given a second collapse from Wendouree’s batting line-up was unlikely.
He said next week would be a great opportunity to give players through the middle-order a chance to find form ahead of finals.
Miles and Mick Nolan will be at the crease when play resumes, on 26 and 19 respectively.
AN OUTSTANDING 155 from Golden Point skipper Josh White led his side to 8-301 against East Ballarat on day one.
White ended the day unbeaten in what was his third century of the season.
White is no stranger to raising the bat after bringing up three figures, but Saturday’s knock was one from the top drawer. Coming to the crease at 1-8 against the second-placed Hawks, who boast one of the best attacks in the competition, White was unmoved.
Lachie Anderson provided some strong hitting later in the day, making 45.
Golden Point ended the day in supreme position against the fellow top four side.
While it looks unlikely positions on the ladder will change, posting an impressive score weeks out from finals can’t hurt given the Pointies and East Ballarat would meet in the first week of finals, should the standings remain the same.
James Nichols had the best figures of 3-36 for the East Ballarat attack.
BUNINYONG secured first innings points against Napoleons-Sebastopol on the weekend.
Naps-Sebas were sent in to bat and the Bunnies bowled them out for 85, Brad Palmer taking 5-32.
Buninyong passed the total with six wickets in hand, finishing the day at 7-132.
Stuart Squire top-scoring with 28. Liam Rigby (21*) and Palmer (4*) at the crease.
MT CLEAR made 272 runs against Darley on Saturday, having it well-placed to maintain its position at the top of the ladder.
74 runs from Matt Ward proved influential down the order while Jarrod Burns made a quality 53.
Brad Barnes took 4-69 while Ryan Moore claimed 3-52 and Hasitha Wickramasinghe was the most economical of the bowlers, taking 2-49 from 21 overs, including nine maidens.
Darley went in to bat for just one over, making four runs without loss.
Mt Clear will be aiming to wins its remaining two matches to stay on top of the ladder.
Darley sits seventh on the ladder and has not been a threat to finals for much of the season after a slow start. Nonetheless, it will be hooping to give a good account of itself to end the season.
JASON Knowles hit 89 runs to put Brown Hill in the box seat against Ballarat-Redan on Saturday.
Nathan Clarke also made 46 to help the Bulls to 230 runs. Brendan Thomson taking 5-24 for Two Swords.
Ballarat-Redan ended the day at 3-20 after 10 overs.
Matthew and Ryan Aikman are at the crease on six and zero respectively.
Dylan York (2-11) and Knowles (1-8) made early breakthroughs to put their side into a strong position going into day two.