A herculean effort with the ball from Nathan Allen has put Melton in a strong position after the first day of its Victoria Sub-District Association clash with Sunshine on Saturday.
In 40-degree heat and with all games reduced to 65 overs, Allen sent down 18.3 of them to capture 7/42 as Sunshine wilted in the afternoon sun to be dismissed for 137 late in the day.
With Melton aiming for its first win since the opening round, Sunshine won the toss and sent the visitors out into the baking heat to field.
But Sunshine didn’t get the start it was after either, with skipper Kane Twentyman (3) and first-drop David Bonavia (2) succumbing to Paul Halfhide in the early overs.
Mark Brown and Troy Stone began the rebuild for Sunshine, but with Melton changing bowlers regularly it was hard for the batsmen to get into a groove.
Jake Charge removed Brown for 12 off 76 balls, but with Stone looking increasingly comfortable it was important for Melton to maintain the pressure.
Enter Allen, who removed Stone (30), Nathaniel Bolus (15) and Laka Khan (2) to give the visitors control.
The Sunshine middle-order batsmen all got starts, but Stone’s 30 remained the top score of the day, with Allen continuing to trouble the home side through a lengthy spell as he claimed the final seven wickets.
Sunshine lasted just long enough to ensure Melton didn’t have to go out to bat late in the day, eventually losing its last three wickets for four runs.
