WERRIBEE Centrals needs another 104 runs to score its first victory of the summer against St Francis De Sales this weekend.
The Centurions, who last summer went undefeated to claim the Victorian Turf Cricket Association’s West B1 title, have not yet been victorious as part of the North A1 division this season.
On Saturday the visiting St Francis outfit chose to bat first on Centrals’ home deck at Galvin Park and lasted for 65 overs before losing all 10 wickets.
The visitors were bowled for 130, with Justin Davies leading the way with the ball for the Centurions with figures of 4/19 and five maidens from his 13 overs in the middle.
Aaron Edrich (2/28) and Sam Crea (2/40) also proved handy for Centrals, while Philip Crea (1/24) claimed the only other Centurions wicket for the day.
Given 15 overs to bat through for the remainder of the opening day’s play, the Centurions stumbled to finish 2/27 by stumps.
Opening batsmen Blair Hemmingson (1) and Chris Duffin (2) both fell cheaply to leave their side stranded early in the chase, but after Nicholas Sardi and Azif Mohamed steadied the ship late in the day, the innings looks to be in good hands.
This Saturday, Sardi will return to the crease unbeaten on 15, while Mohamed will join him hoping to add to his eight.
