By Lance Jenkinson
West Newport wasted no time wrapping up first-innings points in its battle with Seabrook in Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3 at Loft Reserve on Saturday.
The Lions left nothing to chance, chasing down Seabrook’s tiny total of 74 before stumps on Australia Day. They finished the day on 5-101, giving them a lead of 27.
West Newport’s bowlers were ruthless, led by Josh Macdonald, who took 6-41 off 18.4 overs. Daniel Shanahan (2-9) and Chris Fox (2-12) also toiled hard for the Lions.
The response from the West Newport batsmen was swift, Aaron Lloyd leading the charge to first-innings points with 56.
With the Lions sitting nine points outside the top four, they will be eager for an outright win.
One of the teams West Newport is chasing is fourth-placed Williamstown Imperials, who are in danger of a slip-up after posting 185 against premiership contender Point Cook at Saltwater Reserve.
David Kirk (55) and Tim Vaughan (50) both raised the bat with half centuries for the Imps.
Photo Gallery: West Newport vs Seabrook
In senior division, Yarraville Club has the rest of the league looking over its shoulder.
The Clubbers’ time in the bottom two could be about to come to an end as they go into day two of their clash with Spotswood at Hansen Reserve as heavy favourites.
Yarraville Club enjoyed a run fest on day one, blasting a mammoth 4-377 off 80 overs.
Opener Justin Baker ended a lean period with a first century since round three.
Konrad Kurta had a similarly tough stretch of form heading into the match, but he went big on this day, smashing 113 off 137 balls.
Paceman Allan Wise was the standout bowler for Spotswood, taking 2-71 off 20 overs.
Spotswood will need to be at its very best to chase down the runs and deny Yarraville Club an opportunity to leap-frog it in the standings.
It was a dismal day for Seddon, already beaten on first innings. The Dockers were bowled out for an insipid 105 and Keilor is 6-113 – a lead of eight. Keilor all-rounder Kaushal Lokuarachchi was the star of the firs day with 5-7 and 36 not out.
In division 1 west, Laverton had a productive day at the crease, compiling a competitive 9-256 against Tullamarine.
The Magpies would consider themselves a huge shot at victory after Adnan Khawaja’s 88 put them in a strong position at stumps.
Altona North will be defending 206 when it returns to Greenvale on Saturday.
In division 2, Kingsville holds all the aces against St Andrews Pascoe Vale at Skinner Reserve. Kingsville posted a so-so 196, thanks largely to 73 from Sujith Nikethana.
Getting bowled out early proved a blessing in disguise for Kingsville, which had St Andrews Pascoe in all sorts of trouble on 4-4 at stumps.
Altona Roosters are in the box seat against Williamstown CYMS after stellar bowling from Sanjaya Fernando (4-41) and Leigh Lewis (3-36) at Langshaw Reserve. CYs were restricted to 184; the Roosters are 0-38 in reply.
Newport-Digman had a strong start against Werribee Centrals, posting 9-296.
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