Lara paceman Luke Wilson has 29 wickets already this season after a big haul against Newtown & Chilwell.
Wilson took 7/45 and stepped up during the moment his side needed him most.
With the Two Blues going well at 3/126, Wilson dismissed the dangerous Lachie Sperling for 30 and then wreaked havoc in the GCA Division 1 round 12 clash on Saturday 31 January.
The Two Blues lost their last seven wickets for 52 runs to end on 178 and with Lara to resume at 3/77 on day two, the game is still evenly poised.
Tyson Windus (54) and Pat McKenna (44) played well for Newtown & Chilwell, but Wilson’s heroics, aided by a three-wicket haul from Kaden Marum, got Lara back into the contest.
Andrew Hughes (18) and George Blatherwick (37) got the Cats off to a 50-run opening stand when it was their turn to bat, but Mark Dwyer (2/37) and Chris Williams (1/15) struck back with Lara still needing 102 runs with seven wickets intact.
STAR North Geelong opener Ned Cooper made a 172-ball 110 in an innings of control and some sublime stroke play.
The left-hander hit 14 boundaries as the Magpies were all out for 305 against Grovedale.
Wicket-keeper Adam Costello made an 81-ball 60 while Layton McCann contributed a patient 35.
Grovedale spinner Nathan Berry was on target with 4/75 from 20 overs and seamer Riley Stone picked up 3/60.
ANOTHER Luke Ford masterclass has given St Peters a shot at victory against South Barwon.
Ford hit his third century of the season, and also has a 91 not out, and has compiled a hefty 584 runs at an average of 73. The Saints skipper arrived at the crease in the fifth over and was there at the end of the 90th, making 129 not out from 266 balls of pure concentration and leadership. Brother Mitchell Ford made 44 as the Saints reached 5/282 at the close of play.
No South Barwon bowler took more than one wicket, but Harry Hauenstein was economical with 1/31 from 17 overs and spinner Nick Butters took 1/67 from 21 while Brad Hauenstein went for just 27 runs from 15 overs.
ST JOSEPH’S made 280 all out against East Belmont with opener Oliver Metcalfe (75) top scoring while Ryan Simmonds (57), Andrew Casey (47) and Austin Humphrey (37 not out from 29 balls) also contributed.
Three wickets each to Dylan Moroney and Stuart Carter kept the score to less than 300.
In reply, East Belmont has wiped off 22 runs from the chase with Sean O’Neill and Shane McNamara at the crease for the opening ball this Saturday.
