By Steve Brown
BOTTOM side Ferntree Gully made massive inroads in its bid to open its account on day one of round nine, in its Knox Tavern clash with second-placed Johnson Park at the Wally Tew Oval.
Sent in to bat by Gully skipper Shane Richardson, the Sharks lost a wicket in the first over and struggled for the remainder of the innings.
Partnerships didn’t take hold and the team was dismissed for 146.
Only former Hawthorn Monash batsman Bryn Gaunt looked dangerous – until trapped in front by Richardson for 42.
For the Blues, Mark Butters consistently beat the bat, moving the ball both ways, taking 4/51.
He was well supported by Richardson (3/20) who took vital wickets. The Gully was forced to bat for 55 minutes, was 22 without loss at stumps, and is on track for its first win of the season.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Upwey v The Basin
Upwey belted 313 against The Basin at the Dome, with experienced campaigners Matt Mulcahy (68) and Sam Taylor (132) forming the backbone of the innings.
Taylor is now the leading run scorer in the competition and quickly approaching 500 runs for the season. The Huntsmen will need a positive run chase next week.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Footballers v Ferntree Gully
Footballers chased leather all day at Pickett Reserve as Upper Gully plundered 6/328 with Paul “Lenny” Henry cracking a mighty 132.
Henry received good support from Daniel Beyer (44) and not out batsmen, Marc Hardy (56) and Dean Roberts (38). The ‘Ballers are long overdue for a score, but it’s difficult to see where the runs will come against the Kings bowling line-up of Colee, Hardy and co.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Eildon Park v Monbulk
Eildon Park’s opening batsman Cody Morris scored his second century of the year with 109 against Monbulk. Aided by 60 from Morris’ brother Ben, the Panthers had a day out, compiling 316 in what should be another win.
Leg spinner Blake Walter, worked tirelessly for a return of 6/85.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:Belgrave v Knoxfield
At Belgrave, the home side restricted the Knoxfield Knights to 9/218 as Michael Litterbach (3/40) continued to impress.
Scott Vozzo, also having a good season, took 4/56, while Evans (56) and Bendigo Country Week skipper Trent Scholfield (32) helped set up what should be an interesting tussle next week, with the Knights eyeing off the four.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:RESULTS
Round 9
Knox Tavern Cup
Upwey 313 (Mulchay 68, Taylor 132, Bowyer 3/83, Rundle 3/51, Turcinovic 3/40) v The Basin. Johnson Park 146 (Gaunt 42, Butters 4/51, Richardson 3/20) v Ferntree Gully 0/22. Eildon Park 316 (C. Morris 109, B. Morris 60, B. Walter 6/85) v Monbulk. Upper Gully 6/328 (Henry 135, Colee 32, Beyer 44, Hardy 56 not out, D. Roberts 38 not out) v Footballers. Knoxfield 9/218 (Litterbach 3/40, Vozzo 4/56, Evans 54, Scholfield 32) v Belgrave.
Decoite Shield
St John’s Tecoma 118 (Evans 38, Kinnaburgh 7/33) v Lysterfield 7/220 (Wells 40, Whitty 57, Chivers 49 not out, Mathews 3/34). South Belgrave 117 (Baker 33, Carroll 3/22, Rogers 3/17) v Rowville 3/82 (Arfi 42 not out, Atkinson 3/14). Knox Gardens 175 (S. McInerney 60, Prowse 40) v Mt Gate 3/15
Division 3
Upwey 8/280 (Hewitt 34, Lizza 34, Hurst 74, McCarrick 61, Underhill 3/31) v The Basin. Johnson Park 243 (Halse 83, J. Gstrein 37, Sim 37, Cuthell 3/52) v Ferntree Gully. Eildon Park 173 (Sutherland 82, Powell 42) v Monbulk. Upper Gully 207 (Lord 46, Claughton 44) v Footballers 1/24. Knoxfield 7/315 (Read 3/55, Scanlan 53, Pruysers 64, Sundaresh 78) v Belgrave.
