Clarkefield Brumbies are in control after day one of their clash with Craigieburn in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association’s Vic Kyte Shield.
Needing a win to keep pressure on the top four, the fifth-placed Brumbies ensured they did what they needed with the ball.
At 1-61, Craigieburn looked on track for a big score, but its middle order crumbled.
Craigieburn quickly went from 3-84 to 8-95 and, but for a last-wicket partnership of 31, the score would have been worse than the eventual 145.
Chris Vecchie starred with the ball for the Brumbies, taking 5-39 from 22.2 overs, which included seven maidens.
David Falzon chipped in with 2-20 off his nine overs.
The Brumbies then negotiated a tough 10 overs with the bat at the end of the day, with Thomas Balmer (11) and Cameron Main (four) guiding their team to 0-18 at stumps.
With two rounds remaining after the match against Craigieburn, the Brumbies are six points – one win – behind fourth-placed Aberfeldie St Johns.
A win this round is vital, with the Brumbies facing the second and third teams, Donnybrook and Royal Park Reds, in the final two matches of the season.
