It might be a touch early to suggest Point Cook Warriors and Newport-Digman Bulls are at a crossroads when play resumes on Saturday in their Victorian Turf Cricket Association west A1 encounter, but neither club would feel comfortable after both succumbed to 0-3 starts.
Only a month in, times are getting desperate for the two winless outfits.
A weather-affected opening day on which 14 wickets tumble gave no clear insight as to who was the overnight leader.
The Warriors fought back after being skittled for 109 to have the visiting Bulls on the ropes at 4-15 at stumps.
You could make a case for either side entering the second day.
Warriors captain Travis Bean says the game is in the balance. “When you have an opportunity like this, you have to make the most of it.”
Point Cook can just about be excused for its small total.
The wintry conditions were undoubtedly in favour of the side bowling first.
“It was one of those days with covers, rain, wind and all that,” Bean said.
The Warriors’ top three – Stephen Luedi (20), Owen Doolan (17) and Rajesh Sindhu (23) – dug in to build a solid platform before the wickets began to tumble.
The small but gritty score posted by the Warriors batsmen was not one they will be yelling from the rooftops about, but at least it gives their bowlers something to defend with strict bowling lines and lengths.
The premature finish to their innings also gave the Warriors bowlers a chance to utilise the conditions that could turn in favour of the batsmen if the weather improves during the week.
Taking four wickets, on the back of two wickets apiece to Jason Denton and Raj Sandhu, restored parity in a game that felt like it was slipping out of the Warriors’ hands.
“It was a sensational finish to the day,” said Bean, who took three catches as wicketkeeper. “What showed you that they bowled really well is that three were caught behind and one was caught in the gully.
“They just bowled a great line, good length and they got those rewards.”
With the Warriors needing six wickets and the Bulls looking for 95 runs, it’s a game that promises to go down to the wire.
