ANOTHER century from run-scoring machine Justin Baker has put Yarraville Club in an almost unassailable position against Doutta Stars in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Senior Division.
Baker smashed 143 runs and batted through the entire 80 overs, confirming his standing as one of the best batsmen in the competition.
It was his second century of the season and makes him the league’s highest run scorer.
Baker’s score lifted the Clubbers to 5/311 – a magnificent score given that Doutta Stars are pushing for a place in the top four before the mid-season break.
The rest of the top order missed out, but Yarraville Club’s long batting line-up recovered, with Michael O’Keefe hitting 68 and Colin Smart 60 in a 97-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
The only enemy for the Clubbers was time.
In other Senior Division games, Robert Stonehouse took a hat-trick to give Altona North a golden opportunity for victory against Old Essendon.
In all, Stonehouse took five wickets, helping to restrict the Grammarians to 153. Old Essendon had won the toss and batted.
Altona North stumbled in response, ending the day at 3/45 but still in a position to chase down the runs.
The spotlight will be on Spotswood’s top order this week after its bowlers restricted South Caulfield to a gettable score on Saturday.
Andrew Sutton, John Ross and Michael Knight combined with three wickets each to restrict the fourth-placed South Caulfield to 230 in its first innings.
Spotswood dismissed its more fancied opponent in 60 overs, before ending the day at 1/33 after losing the wicket of the club’s leading run scorer, Nathan Broster, just before stumps.
After recording just one win in its first four matches, Spotswood desperately needs to pick up some points in the Senior Division.
In Senior A1 Division, Hoppers Crossing has a mammoth chase on its hands after Strathmore made 9/339 in its 80 overs.
Mark Collier returned the best bowling figures, 4/64.
And half-centuries from Adnan Khawaja (58) and Tom Kriebardis (53) helped Seddon to compile 221 against Beaumaris.
