By Adrian Ceddia
WILLIAMSTOWN CYMS has virtually hit Westmeadows out of the opening round of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association’s North A1 competition after a commanding batting display on Saturday.
In a powerful performance from the Williamstown top and middle order batting line-up, a total of 322 runs were amassed and only six batsmen were needed in an exhausting day-long procession.
Westmeadows was almost powerless to stop the onslaught at any stage in the afternoon as CYMS middle order batsman Michael Menzies and skipper Chris Armstrong combined for a 185-run partnership.
Menzies was eventually dismissed for 114 and Armstrong for 106, but the runs continued to flow off the bats of Darren Gilmartin (45) and Rainer Reber (32) as the score passed 300.
In North B1, Jacana got off to a flying start in its match against Seabrook and is tipped to take the points when play resumes this Saturday.
Jacana batted first at home and slashed 265 runs from 69 overs before using what little time was left in the day to cut through the visitors’ top order and leave them at 4/28.
In the Senior Division, Yarraville Club has plenty of runs to play with after its bottomless batting stocks took control of the opening day’s play against Royal Park/Brunswick.
Led by top order batsmen Chris Wright (65 runs) and Michael O’Keefe (49), and with some late fireworks from skipper Gary Turner (48), the Clubbers kept the run rate ticking over for most of the day.
After batting for the entire 80 overs, Yarraville Club posted 7/287 with Daniel Morgan unbeaten on 27.
Altona North will also be defending a total this Saturday after making 197 on the opening day of its clash with Youlden Parkville.
Ashleigh Peters made 64 and Chris Parslow 46 to help Altona approach 200 before Youlden lost one of its openers and ended the day at 1/43.
