The chase for the all-important first innings lead between Yarraville Club and Doutta Stars in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division grand final sits on a knife’s edge at Donald McLean Reserve.
The momentum swung wildly all weekend and we are no closer to finding out who will have the upper hand after the first innings.
Doutta Stars did well to recover from a precarious position to reach 222 off 86.4 overs.
The Stars were 3-43, but their middle order flourished, with Lorenzo Ingram (52), Brenton Parchment (66) and Shannon Wigmore (69) leading the recovery.
Veteran Yarraville Club opening bowler Emmett Bronca never let the Stars innings get out of hand.
Bronca produced a season-best performance with 7-50 off 25.4 overs, including the scalps of Parchment and Wigmore.
Yarraville Club struggled early in its innings too.
The Clubbers were in all sorts of bother at 5-39. Will Sheridan performed the rescue act with 77 not out, leading his team to 6-155 off 73 overs at stumps on day two.
Joey Blake (22) and wicketkeeper Ben Tupper (25 not out) provided critical support.
The Clubbers need 68 runs for the first innings lead, while the Stars need four wickets.
In north west B1, Williamstown CYMS trailed by 50 runs on first innings to Deer Park in the grand final at Ainsworth Reserve.
Spinner Tarique Jeffrey was outstanding with the ball for CYs, taking 6-60 off 29 overs to restrict Deer Park to 217.
The CYs run chase fell short, all out on 167, with Shiran Rajakaruna the lone hand with 94 to keep them in the contest.
CYs have at least made some inroads in the second innings with three early wickets to have Deer Park 3-19.
