By Ian Harley
BELGRAVE swooped to take the points over last season’s premiers Eildon Park on day one of the new FTGDCA season.
The Magpies chased down the Panthers’ score of 7/196, reaching 7/198 with Jonathon Levell providing the backbone of the innings with a stoic 73. Mick Sinclair snared three wickets for the Panthers, with Nathan McNally and Adrian Baltrushaitis helping the Panthers to a sizeable total.
Troy Gstrien had a day out for Johnson Park, snagging four wickets, a catch and a run-out to see the newly promoted Knoxfield dismissed for just 39 in chasing the Sharks’ 116. Zac Wilson provided the only highlight for the Knights, also taking four wickets.
Upwey took the six points on offer in their match-up with Ferntree Gully. Feaver medalist Sam Taylor top scored for the Tigers with 43, with Ryan Pitts (32) returning to the fold. Mark Teofilo stood tall for the Blues, scoring a gallant 34.
Footballers impressively defended a score of just 98 at home against The Basin. Batting first, the Griffens fell short of triple figures with Matt Heskes taking five wickets for the Huntsmen. But the tables were turned after tea, with the Basin falling short of the target. Adam Carey took a bag of five wickets for the victors.
In Decoite Shield action, Knox Gardens rolled St Johns Tecoma for just 63 in reply to their 95. Lysterfield and Mountain Gate also opened their accounts with solid wins.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Knox Tavern Cup
Upwey 4/148 (S. Taylor 43, R. Pitts 32) d Ferntree Gully 5/146 (M. Teofilo 34, L. Bianci 3/21).
Monbulk 3/169 (J. Simmonds 38, B. Walter 74*) d Upper Ferntree Gully 8/166 (J. Duff 38, G. Wright 3/32, B. Walter 3/28).
Johnson Park 116 (Z. Wilson 4/11) d Knoxfield 39 (T. Gstrein 4/8).
Belgrave 7-198 (J. Levell 73, M. Sinclair 3/57) d Eildon Park 7-196 (N. McNally 50, A. Baltruschaitis 39).
FTG Footballers 98 (M. Heskes 5/21) d The Basin 75 (Turcinovic 34, A. Carey 5/20).
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Decoite Shield
Lysterfield 8/164 (Whitty 51*,T. Binks 39, Baker 3/23) d South Belgrave 104 (Glenister 3/12).
Knox Gardens 95 (D. Lucas 3/19) d St Johns Tecoma 63 (A. Wilde 4/17).
Mountain Gate 3/142 (Brown 38*, Hardy 30) d Rowville 134 (Wimalaratna 3/22, M. Goddard 4/19).
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Division 3
Upwey 171 (Wills 66) d Ferntree Gully 130 (B. Heath 3/18).
Upper Ferntree Gully 5/114 d Monbulk (P. Willoughby 35, J. Roberts 4/28, M Hart 4/13).
Knoxfield 6/164 (C. Pruysers 65, H. Burley 35, J. Graffen 3/31) d Johnson Park 147 (M. Sim 35, J. Graffen 34, J. Scanlan 4/29).
Eildon Park 2/111 (N. Hicks 63, J. Dietzel 33) d Belgrave 6/106.
FTG Footballers 7/151 (C. Storey 44, Winters 4/48) d The Basin 147 (J. Best 40, D. Lee 39, Pruysers 3/24).
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Division 4
Lysterfield 4/157 (Ricardo 69) d Rowville (Lim 54*, Neven 37*, D’Rosario 3/21).
St Johns Tecoma 9/206 (A. Doyle 52, C. Manning 39, S. Hamilton 32, D. Richards 3/39, S. Taylor 3/22) d Knox Gardens 191 (M. Gregory 50*).
South Belgrave 159 (Steunenberg 47, Huglin 32, Hill 32, Adams 4/24) d Mountain Gate 154 (Hill 3/21).
Aura Vale 6/151 (N. Phillips 44, R. Formosa 31) d Knox Boronia Churches 114 (N. Phillips 4/20, J. Balfour 3/23).
