Tara Murray
Point Cook is on top after day one of its clash with Pascoe Vale Hadfield in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Roy Picone Shield.
The Warriors were sent in by the Panthers and it seemed the right decision early as they crumbled to 3-8.
There was a fightback from the Warriors, to make 180 but they were bowled out with 24 overs remaining.
Max Rouvray played a single hand as he made 100 with just Siddharth Anand (35) also making double figures.
Warriors coach Carmine Conte said they would have been in big trouble without Rouvray.
“It was his first 100 in the firsts,” he said. “He came in when we were in trouble and batted beyond his years.
“We were lucky to have him in the end.”
Conte said knowing the trouble they were in, they would have taken 180 on the board.
The Warriors needed early wickets late on day one and they managed to get them.
The Panthers will resume at 3-32.
Conte said they were happy with the position they were in.
“We’re better than a 50-50 chance,” he said. “We’ve given ourselves a chance but we still have to bowl well.”
It’s been an off season of chance for the Warriors with the majority of their first XI departing.
Conte said it means they have a really good opportunity to help that next generation thrive.
“In the first game we had four kids 16 and under,” he said. “This week, we’ve still got two.
“We’re looking at a little bit of the now and a little bit for the future.
“The juniors are really coming on and we have that mixture of experience and juniors.”
Conte said everyone had come together really well in face of adversity and he was excited for what is to come.
Having made finals the past two seasons and missed out on the grand final, he said they were hoping to be in the mix again this season.
“This year we’re trying to win it while developing a system. We have a good philosophy to build within ourselves.”
Elsewhere, Point Cook Centrals are in trouble against Kingsville.
The Sharks made 146 with Kingsville 0-12 in reply.
In the Evans-Clark Shield, Werribee Centrals has already conceded first innings points to East Coburg.
After a strong batting performance first up, the Centurions weren’t able to repeat it on Saturday as they were bowled out for just 103 in 40.5 overs.
Skipper Tarique Jeffrey top scored with 40 and was the only player to pass 20 in the total.
East Coburg captain Joseph Conlin held his side’s innings together as wickets fell around him.
East Coburg managed to do enough to be ahead at stumps.
It will resume at 7-106 on day two.
Jeffrey continued his good day, taking four wickets for the Centurions.
Bellbridge has a decent run chase on its hands against Sunshine YCW.
The Cougars won the toss and decided to bat.
They were bowled out for 181 in the 78th over. Colin Weller and Ryan Kukucka took three wickets each for the Bears.
