By Justin Flynn
In what is shaping as a season defining game for both clubs, South Barwon has the upper hand over Grovedale on day one of round 11 in GCA Division 1.
South Barwon is in third spot on the ladder, three points ahead of the Tigers and posted 9/270 from 80 overs after being sent in at Burdoo Reserve.
After losing two quick wickets, skipper Nick Butters (43 off 67 deliveries) and opener Matthew Dawson (31 off 54) combined to get Swans on track.
“Wriggo (Jack Wrigglesworth) bowled a pretty good spell so we just had to weather the storm a bit,” Butters said.
“He (Dawson) was probably disappointed to get out when he did, but it was good to see him get a few.”
The partnership set the scene for another healthy partnership between Bryson Nicholls (59) and Sam Ellis (47) before number eight Andrew Ross (40 not out off 54 balls) and Brad Hauenstein (32 off 47) put the finishing touches on the innings.
“Rossy’s a top-order player, but it’s just sort of where he found himself in our line-up,” Butters said.
Butters said although it was slightly disappointing that nobody went on to get a big score, he’d take 9/270 every time.
“In the end it’s worked out, but you’d like to see someone go on and get probably an 80-plus, but we’re not complaining with 270 on the board,” he said.
For Grovedale, Wrigglesworth picked up three key wickets and Clinton Ford was miserly, sending down 31 overs and taking 3/54.
“He (Ford) just put it on a spot and you had to take a risk to get to him,” Butters said.
“His figures probably took a hit later on in the day. Rossy got to him late and his figures probably look ‘worse’ than they probably were. He just bowled that nagging length.”
Butters has the option to declare the innings closed straight away or resume at nine down with Ross still at the crease.
“I’m not sure at this stage, we’ll assess it during the week and have a look at it,” he said.
“It’s good to have options, so we’ll have a look at training and have a chat about it, but probably at this stage we lean towards having a bat again.”
ST JOSEPH’s has the option to declare or resume at 5/229 against Lara. Captain Andrew Hodgson (52), Jack Riding (50) and Andrew Casey (49) got runs while Danny Blatherwick picked up three wickets for Lara.
EAST BELMONT is well placed for the points, bowling out Highton for 149. Spinner James McMahon was the star for East Belmont, taking 5/47 from 17.4 overs. The Lions will resume at 1/26 in their first innings with the dangerous Josh Lacey on 19.
NORTH GEELONG is on top against Newtown & Chilwell. Philip Visser (74) and Curtly Balshaw (67) got runs as the Magpies were all out for 249. Jorden Lewis (5/58) and Nick Burke (4/42) took nine of the 10 wickets to fall for the Two Blues, who were in some trouble at stumps at 2/22 with paceman Dale Kerr picking up two late wickets.
