Tara Murray
West Newport’s local rivalry match with Newport-Digman takes on some extra significance in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 2.
Sitting just inside the top four as the side’s head into the back part of the season, every win is important in the run home for the Lions.
Lions skipper Trent Jones said it’s a match they always look forward to.
“It’s good to come up against the old rival,” he said. “We’ve had some hard battles over the years and day one was no different.
“It was a good team performance, but the match is still evenly balanced. We might have our noses slightly ahead.”
Newport-Digman was bowled out for 102 in the 60th over after getting off to a good start. Skipper Matthew Shiell made 30 at the top of the order, but only the top three batters reached double figures.
Jones said he would have taken that result any day of the week.
“Our bowlers really stuck at it,” he said. “Newport batted well early, but our bowlers stuck to the task led by Josh MacDonald and the rest of the cartel followed.”
It left West Newport with 17 overs to face at the end of day one. They will resume at 2-28.
Jones said it had been a while since they had batted out overs like that.
“Pre-COVID it would be,” he said. “I’m really proud of the batsmen.
“Newport came out full steam ahead and threw everything at us. Brock Davey-Smith held us together, he was like a well.
“We have 77 to chase next week and we have our best batter at the crease.”
A win here would further the gap between the Lions and fifth placed Newport-Digman.
Jones said they spoke about the importance of the game heading into the match. He said in an ideal world they would be sitting more comfortably in the top four, but backed their best cricket to beat any team in the competition.
He said a couple of lapses had been costly for them, which hadn’t helped their ladder position.
“It’s a must win game for us really,” he said. “Against the old rivals will always make it a bit sweeter.
“The job is not done.”
Ladder leaders Footscray United had a day out against the Greenvale Kangaroos.
The Bulldogs made 8-328 from just 71 overs, declaring to have a bowl at the Kangaroos at the end of day one.
Praveen Warnakulasuriya made 100, which included 18 fours and one six.
The Kangaroos got through unscathed and will resume at 0-17.
There were plenty of wickets in the Altona Roosters and Williamstown CYMS’s match.
The CYs were bowled out for just 97 with Jack Sutter top scoring 28.
Ashleigh Peters took 3-10 for the Roosters.
The Roosters will resume at 3-34.
Kingsville has already conceded first innings points to St Andrews Pascoe Vale.
Kingsville was bowled out for 108 with St Andrews Pascoe Vale finishing day one at 4-130.
