Tara Murray
There were plenty of wickets in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 5 competition on Saturday.
With the exception of one match, both teams batted on day one as teams struggled to bat through their overs.
The Melton South Royals are just on top in their vital match with Jacana.
Sitting third and fourth heading into the match, a win will go a long way to helping secure a finals spot.
Jacana won the toss and decided to bat. They lost two early wickets, before settling in and moving to 2-73.
Missing two key middle order bats, the Jaguars struggled to halt momentum when the wickets started to fall.
The Jaguars were bowled out for 118 in the 47th over. James Robertson had a day out with the ball, finishing with 6-12 off 10 overs.
The Royals started well with the opening pair putting on 37. The Royals would go through a tough period late in the day, losing six wickets.
They will resume at 6-73.
Aaron Xuereb had made 32 at the top of the order before being run out.
Melton Centrals are on the back foot against Footscray Angliss in their two-day match.
Centals struggled with the bat and were bowled out for just 138 in the 57th over. Centrals lost their last five wickets for just 18.
Steven Robertson top scored with 40.
Angliss took a cautious approach as it tried to get through to stumps with wickets in hand. Angliss will resume at 1-18.
The East Coburg and Burnside Springs were the exception in the division on Saturday.
East Coburg enjoyed its time in the middle making 5-302 from its overs.
Dhanushka Udawela Lekamalage took 3-40 off his 16 overs for Burnside.
In division 1, Sydenham-Hillside’s good form has continued as the Storm shone with the bat.
The ladder leading Storm won the toss and decided to bat on its home pitch.
The Storm was in trouble early at 2-16, but from there it would be a day for the batters.
The rest of the top order and all the middle order got starts, as the Storm was bowled out for 274 in the 72nd over.
Gayashan Weerasekara top scored with 96.
Having not batted out its overs, the Storm had to bowl five overs at the end of the day.
It would be a successful five overs, with Seddon to resume at 1-10.
Stefon King has the wicket for the Storm.
In division 3, Caroline Springs will have to bat well to take the points against Williamstown Imperials.
The Falcons got off to the perfect start with the ball, having the Imperials in trouble at 4-3.
The Imperials steadied and before slipping to 6-84.
Despite being on top, the Falcons took a while to get the last four wickets. The Imperials were eventually bowled out for 213 with two overs remaining.
Kevin MacLean was the pick of the bowlers for the Falcons, taking 5-40 off 17 overs.
