Darley put in a solid day in the field on a sweltering Saturday, keeping North Ballarat to a manageable total in their Ballarat Cricket Association clash at Northern Oval.
After losing the toss and fielding, Darley toiled hard for 78.2 overs before eventually dismissing the hosts for 224.
Darley rotated its bowlers regularly and with great effect as eight players rolled their arm over.
Darley picked up two wickets early, but at 2-98 it looked like the home side might run away with the game by posting a big score.
But Brian Wheelahan picked up the prized wicket of Robert Hind (36) and from there the game started to move in Darley’s direction.
While several North Ballarat batsmen got starts, Leigh Lorenzen (64) was the only one who made it past 50 as Darley kept the pressure on.
Jamie Mckerrow (3-23) and Clint Salisbury (3-35) were the pick of the Darley bowlers as they ensured a ‘gettable’ run chase for this Saturday.
A win would keep Darley’s finals hopes alive.
