By Tara Murray
St Anthonys produced a solid performance with the bat to set Riddell a competitive chase in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield District Firsts competition.
As two of the top sides of the competition, the match is set up to give both sides an indication of where they sit this season.
It was the Saints who started the day the better, before the Bombers showed some fight late to restrict the Saints.
For Saints captain-coach Cam Clayton he was happy with the total of 268, but knows it could have been a lot bigger.
“We were 4-230 odd before we lost 6-39 and we only batted 60 overs,” he said.
“We were scoring at a quick rate and if we had have batted out our overs we could have posted 350-plus, but 270 is still a good score on our ground.”
Paul Scott and John Jensen put on a massive partnership early in the innings to set up the total.
Scott hit his second century of the season, making 105. He is averaging 116 runs a game, having passed 50 in all four of his innings.
Clayton said as a side they would have to continue working on their batting, with several players going out to poor shots or being run out late in the innings.
Photo Gallery: St Anthonys vs Riddell
He said that was also the case against Bacchus Marsh in the match they lost.
Riddell will resume on 0-12.
Clayton said his side were yet to hit their straps, but he was happy with how they were tracking.
He said Riddell and Rupertswood were a couple of the stronger sides this season along with his own, meaning this year would give them an indication of where they sit.
“We’re not playing our best cricket and when we do, we will be good to watch.”
In other matches, Eynesbury Eagles were bowled out for 175 against Gisborne.
Gisborne will resume at 1-3.
Bacchus Marsh is 3-51 in reply to Ashfield’s 127 and Rupertswood made 252 against East Sunbury.
In the McIntyre Cup, Milinda Sepala made 183 for Bacchus Marsh, as the Bulls posted 9-385 against Woodend.
Diggers Rest Bulla is 4-45 in reply to Sunbury United’s 93.
Gisborne has already claimed first innings points against Wallan, while Sunbury made 242 against Romsey.
MORE GDCA NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/sunbury-united-batsmen-falter/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/tough-battle-for-riddell/
