It might only be the first weekend of December, but Bellbridge and Melton Centrals are fully aware of the importance of their next five hours of cricket in the VTCA west A1 this Saturday.
“If we lose this, we will sort of lose touch [with the top four], and find it that little harder to come back,” Bellbridge veteran Mark Croswell said. “For them, it’s important to cement their spot.”
On a hard-fought opening day of the two-day clash at Blackwood Reserve last Saturday, the sides traded blows to have control over the contest at different stages.
Early on, it was Bellbridge that looked to be in command, cutting down the flow of runs and picking up two quick wickets to have Centrals 2-24 off 16. But the longer the day went, the more control Centrals assumed, powering their way to an imposing 9-277 off 80 overs.
Even with a massive run chase ahead, Bellbridge was not too dissatisfied at stumps on day one.
“The good thing out of that is, at one stage, we were looking at a score of 320 to 340 to chase,” Croswell said. “We reined it in a little bit when they tried to press the go button, and they didn’t really press it as hard as they should’ve.
“Still, batting 80 overs, it’s a bit of a rarity these days, but they … compiled those runs.”
Andrew Wilks and Patrick Lee impressed with the ball for Bellbridge. Wilks battled through soreness to produce some efficient overs late in the day, finishing with 4-66 off 20.
Lee also stuck to his task to take 4-63 off 20 overs – the most he has bowled in a game this season.
In general, Bellbridge’s fielding was good, backing up the bowlers with eight catches, but an inordinate amount of wides – 21 in all – some brought about by the aggressive wicketkeeping of Harry Chandler, could prove costly.
Bellbridge undoubtedly has a tough road ahead to secure victory, but it gets all the assistance from the pitch.
“The wicket is nice and true, and there’s hardness in it, so there shouldn’t be any problems with the bounce, barring the weather,” Croswell said. “Hopefully, we have a good day and we’re in the winners circle.”
In north-west A1, Werribee Centrals chases 245 for victory against Glenroy away at Sewell Reserve.
In west A1, Seabrook will go into day two confident after rolling Williamstown Congs for 136 after a five-wicket haul to Mitchell Haberecht.
The Saints were 1-24 at stumps.
Lance Jenkinson
