By LIAM TWOMEY
FOOTSCRAY Edgewater will need to bring its best with the ball this week after a tough first day in its Premier Cricket clash with St Kilda.
In the final round of the season, the top two teams squared off at Mervyn Hughes Oval with the Bulldogs winning the toss and electing to bat first.
Despite the early loss of Anthony Barton, the decision looked to be a good one as Footscray moved to 1/47 with in-form duo Travis Dean and captain Dean Russ at the crease.
But it was the loss of wickets in groups which cost the Bulldogs throughout the afternoon.
Footscray lost Dean and Dylan Kight in the space of seven runs and then later in the innings, lost 4/6.
Coming up against arguably the best team in the competition, it was always going to be hard to post a strong score from there and the Bulldogs struggled.
Thanks to a handy 27 from number nine batsman Hamish Winter-Irving, Footscray reached 153 before being bowled out in the 61st over.
Russ was the top scorer for the innings with 53 while Shanuka Dissanayaka was the next best with 31.
“We were disappointed to make the score we did,” Russ said.
“We thought we should have been able to push 200 plus but we didn’t really string too many partnerships together.
“They bowled exceptionally well and it was a typical St Kilda performance really. They are a very disciplined side.”
With 26 overs left in the day’s play, Footscray needed quick wickets and Jake Haberfield delivered.
The gun quick removed Peter Handscomb (who was coming off back-to-back Premier Cricket hundreds) without scoring and Rob Quiney for nine to have St Kilda at 2/13.
Winter-Irving then got in on the act, taking the wicket of Matthew Chasemore to make it 3/30.
From there, St Kilda managed to settle its innings and will resume this week at 3/57.
Thomas Moffat and Graeme Rummans are the not out batsmen on 37 and 10 respectively.
“Jake bowled very well,” Russ said.
“To get those two wickets and then to follow up with Chasemore was very good for us. If we can get a couple of wickets early in the session then we are a massive chance.”
