Seabrook produced a strong performance on the opening weekend of its four-day grand final clash with Williamstown Imperials in Victorian Turf Cricket Association west A1 at Saltwater Reserve.
The Saints, Wyndham cricket’s feel-good story after an unlikely run to the season decider, have edged closer to breaking their premiership drought after getting to Sunday evening with the upper hand in the match.
Seabrook made a calm 231 off 133.2 overs, with in-form Andrew Hodgart leading the way with 56 not out.
Hodgart, the Saints’ ironman at the crease, featured in no less than eight different partnerships after entering the crease with his side at 2-65.
The biggest was the sixth-wicket stand with Dilip Sarkhell (38), which yielded 58 runs.
Earlier in the innings, captain Leigh Edwards (34) and opener Stephen Morgan (28) provided the Saints a stable foundation.
While runs on the board in a grand final are beneficial, Williamstown Imperials have proven ability to create big scores
The Imperials went to stumps on 4-77 after 26 overs. They’re slightly behind the eight-ball due to the competition’s leading run scorer Peter Herrick (30) and top-10 batsman Daniel Slattery (18) finding themselves back in the pavilion.
The depth of the Imps’ batting line-up is a strength, so they will still fancy their chances of getting the 155 runs needed for victory.
A lot will rest on the shoulders of current not out batsmen Glen Robson (15) and Lee Elmore (3).
It was only three games back that Robson smashed an unbeaten century, while Elmore has a history of big scores.
Seabrook will go into day three super confident, having conceded 200 with the ball just once this summer and bowling top side Grand United out for just 60 last start.
Breaking up the Robson-Elmore partnership could be the key to unlocking a premiership for the Saints.
Chris Kavanagh, one of two top-10 wicket-takers at the Saints, made a flying start with 3-26, while Hitesh Bavarva snared the other wicket.
