Lancefield’s finals hopes are hanging by a thread after day one of the match against Wallan in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s B grade competition.
The Tigers began the match needing a win and either a loss or a narrow win by Bacchus Marsh against East Sunbury.
Saturday started well for the Tigers before a disastrous final hour at Greenhill Oval left them with a mountain to climb.
Nathan Malone was the star with the ball, taking 5-32 from 24 overs as the Tigers dismissed Wallan for 94.
Matthew Bowden bowled tightly at the other end for his 1-25 off 17 overs.
Lancefield faced 20 overs at the end of the day with the chance to build a platform for victory.
Instead, they collapsed to be 6-29 at stumps, with Jarryd McGill (22) the only batsman to find the middle of the bat.
One positive for the Tigers going into day two is that their best batsman, skipper Luke Barker, has yet to take guard.
At Bacchus Marsh, the home side did everything right in its bid for fourth spot, making 8-266 against East Sunbury.
It was an even contribution,with the top nine batsmen all making double figures. Lachlan Wilkins took four wickets for the Thunder, who need to win to keep alive their chances of not finishing on the bottom of the ladder.
Macedon, still a mathematical chance of making finals, is in control after day one of the match against Ashfield.
But both sides still could finish bottom and face relegation depending on other results.
Macedon opener Taylor Stevenson made 90 in Macedon’s total of 8-255.
Skipper Gareth De Rosayro chipped in with 56 and Daniel Trotta made 45 not out.
Ashfield tried just about everything to bowl out Macedon, with nine players getting to roll an arm over.
Branden Paul was the pick of them with 4-72 from his 23 overs.
In the battle for top spot, Rupertswood took the points on day one of the match against St Anthonys.
Rupertswood made the worst possible start, slumping to 4-7 and then 5-23.
Chris Ryan then provided the key to the innings and batted with Kyahl Anderson, Liam McLean and John Lane to set the platform for a decent score.
Ryan went on to an unbeaten 109 in Rupertswood’s 9-220.
