By Tara Murray
Ashfield has already claimed first innings points against Eynesbury Eagles in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield District Firsts competition.
Coming off its worst performance of the season, Ashfield responded in the perfect way on Saturday.
For a while it didn’t look like play would get under way with the ground waterlogged, but once it did, it was all Ashfield.
Ashfield captain-coach Mace Green said they made the most of winning the toss and electing to bowl.
“It was pretty wet and they probably weren’t getting value for their shots,” he said.
“The ball and ground was waterlogged. We just looked to bowl our line and length, and let them make the mistakes.
“We didn’t want them to get over 100. We were quite happy.”
The Eagles were bowled out for 87, after facing just over 40 overs.
Nathan Crosland and Nathan Anderson took four wickets each for Ashfield.
Photo Gallery: Ashfield vs Eynesbury Eagles
After losing an early wicket, Ashfield was on track to make the runs over the remaining day and a bit, but Green said they were keen to seal up first innings points on day one.
“We didn’t know what the other games were doing [with the weather] and whether they had got under way,” he said.
“We didn’t know whether the other teams would have one or two-day games.
“With about half hour to go we were about 25 runs behind, we thought let’s get the win and see what happens next week.”
Corey Woolley will resume at 61 not out, along with Green who is yet to get off the mark, as they finished the day on 2-112.
Green said they would like to go for an outright win next weekend.
He said they needed to claw back the points they conceded in their loss to Bacchus Marsh.
“We’ll look at batting on and hopefully we won’t have to bat again or will be chasing a small total.”
In other games, Rupertswood and St Anthonys piled on the runs. In a battle between second and third, it’s Rupertswood that has the upper hand after day one against Riddell.
Rupertswood had a good day with the bat, making 334 before being bowled out in the 75th over. Jordan Curran made 115, his first century in Rupertswood’s first XI.
Matthew Lloyd took five wickets for Riddell.
St Anthonys made 365 on the back of centuries from Cameron Clayton and Paul Scott.
East Sunbury and Bacchus Marsh’s match didn’t get under way.
In the Jensen Shield, only two matches got under way. Malmsbury is 2-43 in reply to Macedon’s 178. Blackwood is 2-26 chasing St Anthonys 155.
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