By Adrian Ceddia
SPOTSWOOD’S chances of breaking its duck in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Senior Division are looking shaky after a tough day against competition leader Keilor.
The Blues are close to securing their third win to start the season, while Spotswood will remain in the bottom two if it cannot pull off a miracle this weekend.
On its home deck, Keilor won the toss and backed its bowlers, sending in Spotswood to face the music.
The ploy worked, with the visitors slumping to 6/38 before Michael McCarthy top-scored with 24 to lift the total above 100.
With most of the hitting done in the lower order, Spotswood crawled to a total of 106 in 53 overs, with James McKay snaring 4/33 for the Blues.
Keilor’s response started steadily, losing openers Shannon and Ricky Marcy with the score on 22, before an unbeaten 36-run stand left it 2/58 at stumps, needing 49 for victory.
Yarraville Club also looks to be on the road to victory after a patient day with the bat against Youlden Parkville.
The Clubbers scored steadily in their 77 overs, compiling 225 runs before declaring with three overs left in the day and eight wickets down.
Youlden was sent out for the final few overs as Yarraville Club attempted to get a head start for the second day, but it could not make the unlikely breakthrough.
A five-wicket haul from Matt Saunders helped Altona North gain the upper hand in its match with Royal Park/Brunswick.
Saunders bagged 5/22 from 14 overs and Mario Auciello took 3/50 as Royal Park compiled 169 runs, led by a half century from Adam Contessa (54).
Altona faced two overs before stumps without incident.
In Senior A1, a dashing 77-run innings from in-form batsman Ian Timms allowed Hoppers Crossing to reach 220 in its first dig against Beaumaris.
The top order was in fine touch as Timms, Adam Brodie (36) and skipper Mark Mitchell (30) led the charge in the 75-over innings.
Hoppers then struck a crucial blow before stumps, dismissing Beaumaris opener Steve Wilson to leave the home side 1/15.
Seddon spent the entire afternoon in the field against Melbourne High School Old Boys and will be chasing 215 for victory this weekend.
West Newport has already surrendered first innings points against Parkville District in North A1 after being dismissed for 96 runs.
Parkville reached 4/152 at stumps and is headed for a confidence-boosting win.
Werribee Centrals enjoyed a solid day with the bat against Avondale Heights, scoring 233 runs including 62 from Trent Milne.
And Footscray United has St Albans 1/7 after a Stuart Henderson half-century led it to 177 runs in 74 overs.
