Tara Murray
It was a tough day in the field for Altona in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west on Saturday.
With the temperature beyond 35 degrees, teams across the competition decided to bat first and Caulfield was no different against the A’s.
A’s coach Aaron Whear said it was a tough day in the field for his side.
“It was really hot, particularly before tea,” he said. “I think our bowler toiled away hard.
“Caulfield has a good batting line up. We would have been nice to have knocked them out for a bit less.”
Caulfield finished day one at 2-286 off its 80 overs as every batter reached double figures.
Jacob Thorne top scored with 93.
Tom McConville and Rory Medlock took two wickets each for the A’s.
Whear said it would be a good challenge for their batters this Saturday as they look to chase down the runs.
“Our batting has been solid,” he said. “Ben Davies is having another good year, along with Matt Turcinovich and Connor Brown have been our three standouts this season.”
Whear said he thought the side was tracking along well this season as they target a second straight finals series.
After five rounds, the A’s sit in seventh spot with three wins and two losses. They are three points outside the top six after being one of the few teams to get the full points last weekend after rain on Sunday.
“It’s a big test on the weekend,” he said. “I think our form has been solid.”
Whear said things were going well with their other sides.
Their second XI got their first win last round against Yarraville, while the third XI is sitting near the top.
He said there were plenty of encouraging signs for their fourth XI, which is a young side.
In other south-west matches on Saturday, Spotswood and Yarraville are both on the back foot.
After deciding to bat, the Woodsmen were bowled out for 155 in the 62nd over against Brighton.
Lachlan McKenna top scored with 62 and Declan O’Brien made 35, but they didn’t get much from the tail and lower order.
Brighton will resume at 2-31 after batting nine overs.
Jackson Wadden and Dan Schuppan have the wickets for the Woodsmen.
Meanwhile, Yarraville was bowled out for 188 against Moorabbin.
Ashish Mathew top scored with 77 as number nine Akshat Buch (26) and number Kamal Singh (24 not out).
Moorabbin will resume at 1-5 with Williamstown Sheffield taking the wicket.
The score for day one for Williamstown’s match with Melton was not available at deadline.
Melton was 4-87 after 39 overs in the latest score available. Fraser Hay had two of those wickets.
