South Barwon posted its second 300-plus total for the Geelong Cricket Association Division 1 season to hold the upper hand against East Belmont going into day two of round 8.
Skipper Nick Butters said he would have bowled first had he won the toss, so a total of 314 all out was a good result.
“Really happy, we’ve sort of been a bit up and down all year so it was nice to get a decent total,” he said.
“They set pretty aggressive fields all day which allowed us to probably get away at times. I think 300 is probably about par.”
Sam Ellis was among the runs with a patient 96 from 181 deliveries.
“He batted really well,” Butters said.
“He’s batted well all year, but probably just found weird ways to get out. Today he was just really composed and worked the ball really well.”
Butters said Ellis was disappointed not to get three figures, but understood the importance of his innings.
“You’re never going to walk off and be disappointed with 96, but you’re always disappointed not to get a hundred,” he said.
“He hasn’t got one at South yet, so he would have liked to have got that monkey off the back.”
Bryson Nicholls complimented Ellis’ knock with 78 from 107 balls.
“Bryson was really positive today, which was nice to see,” Butters said.
“He showed good intent and he’s been batting pretty well for us. He’s had a couple of things going against him this year so it was nice for him to get a score.”
Butters chimed in with 53 from 45 to help push the total past 300.
“It was nice to have a bit of freedom, if you get off to a good start, you can have a bit of a slog late,” he said.
Butters said early wickets would be the key on day two and was looking forward to seeing teenage spinner Aanlin Cheeran bowl.
“He’s going to be a really good player for us,” he said.
“He’ll be a big weapon, nobody’s really seen him yet. We’re excited about what he can do for us.”
Seamers Matthew Miller (4/44) and Dylan Moroney (3/61) toiled hard for East Belmont.
BALL dominated bat in the St Peters vs St Joseph’s game. Joeys were all out for 92 with Tom Webster and James Stokes each snaring three wickets. St Peters was cruising at 0/35 in reply, but four wickets for five runs had them 4/42 at stumps with Cameron Port taking three late scalps.
HIGHTON is 8/246 against Newtown & Chilwell. Opener Zac Wills made 61 from 128 balls and Chris Young contributed a valuable 43 from 66 at No 9. Jorden Lewis snared 3/64 for the Two Blues.
GROVEDALE batted all day to be all out for 156 against North Geelong. Corey Paull (43 off 127 deliveries) and Jack Wrigglesworth (37 from 91) dug in, but seamer Tom Mathieson (3/33) and spinner Bailey Sykes (3/37) were difficult to get away.
