AFTER an absorbing day’s play it is not clear who will triumph between finals aspirants Upper Beaconsfield and Nyora this week.
However the Maroons 226 is enough to test the Saints batting.
Upper Beaconsfield’s bats have scored more than 200 in seven of the nine matches and at 3/174 it appeared headed for another massive tally.
However a handy spell from Nathan Osler (4/17) stymied a commanding target being reached.
David Taylor reached a fine 69 before being run out. He and David Mitchell built a telling partnership of 74 runs before Mitchell was caught behind for 54, his second best performance for the season.
There were two other handy knocks from Luke Pitcher (33) and brother Scott (22).
Upper Beaconsfield was dismissed for 226 in the 64th over and struck a blow to have Nyora 1/16 at stumps.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:C GRADE
With only 10 players, skipper Shawn Hassall won the toss and elected to bowl against Catani on a dusty, windy oval that produced lots of fours.
Maroons Steve Finnerty, who induced a catch to first slip in his first over, was struck down with a groin strain and could not bowl with any of his usual venom.
At 3/49 it looked good, however a lastwicket partnership of nearly 100 frustrated the Maroons.
Catani was dismissed for 278 and the best of the bowlers was Luke Sorati (4/39) Shawn Hassall (2/65) while Chris Smith was welcomed back to cricket with 2/64.
At stumps Upper Beaconsfield was 1/13 needing 266 from 70 overs on a very dry, unkind ground for fieldsmen.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:F GRADE
Upper Beaconsfield elected to bat at Maryknoll after winning the toss against Clyde and lost early wickets, but a stunning blow ended Richard Edwards innings as he top edged a pull shot into the bridge of his nose.
The Maroons slumped to 3/25, but a 50 partnership between David Briffa (44) and Andrew McManus (19) swung the momentum back in the team’s favour.
Gary Hunt clubbed a quick 12, while Stuart Black (10) added to the tally.
Upper Beaconsfield ended on 8/131 from 34 overs.
In response Clyde reached that total from 27 overs. Martin Oke (2/37) and Michael Geraeds (2/26) were the most successful bowlers.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:UNDER 15
An Officer Upper Beaconsfield combination battled against the Maroons.
Upper Beaconsfield batted first and compiled 58 from 28 overs.
Lachie Henstock batted for 19 overs for 15, while Eddie Cairncross also reached double figures, making 10.
Jayden Joyce picked up 2/5 while Jake Cameron was also successful with 2/4.
In response the Combo is 5/16, Lachie Groh being the destroyer with 3/8.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:CLUB NOTES
The club’s annual special effort, organised by president Richard Edwards, was described as a great success.
