A 153-run opening stand put Williamstown in the box seat against Kew in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association at the Williamstown Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Brenton Hodges (83) and Patrick O’Malley (84) gave the Seagulls a perfect start en route to the side’s commanding 286 off 75.5 overs.
It was not all plain sailing for Williamstown, which lost its last eight wickets for 88 runs.
Brent McMinn made a handy 27 and Dale McDonald (17), Mitchell Streiff (13) and Craig Sheedy (14) were all out in the teens, but the Seagulls crumbled thereafter to keep Kew in the contest.
Kew showed that it has runs in its bats, posting 6-231 off just 45 overs a week earlier, so Williamstown will need to be on its game if it is to improve to 2-0 on this young season.
It was a hellish day for Yarraville in the field as it chased the red ball all over the park against Brunswick at Gillon Oval.
The Wicks made a nigh on unassailable 7-354 with in-form Charles Aitken leading the way with 121. The pick of the Yarraville bowlers was Josh Turner with 3-62, while Joshua Raymer took 2-81, including the major scalp of Aitken.
Altona is well on top in its clash with Ivanhoe at Grant Reserve.
The A’s are 2-61 in reply to Ivanhoe’s 172 and should be able to execute a successful run chase when play resumes on Saturday.
In the Victorian Turf Cricket Association, Spotswood could not have asked for a better start to its battle with Greenvale Kangaroos at McLean Reserve.
Not only did the Woodsmen post an impressive 6-270 declared, but their plan to bowl four overs late in the day yielded an early wicket.
Gene Maurice was a standout for Spotswood with the bat, making 91, while Sam Dishon contributed 50.
Seddon has already lost on first innings to Keilor, while Yarraville Club is 1-44 in its chase for Strathmore’s 189.
In north west division, St Albans has set Laverton a massive task, posting 9-259 declared. Laverton lost two late wickets to be 2-7 at stumps.
Altona North struggled with the bat to make just 141, but remains a fighting chance after Keilor Park limped to stumps on 4-41.
