By Adrian Ceddia
GRAND United has continued its barnstorming run in the Williamstown and District Cricket Association, already wrapping up first innings points in its round four clash against Newport Rams on Saturday.
And with only two wickets down at the close of play, United will be looking to gain maximum points on the second day to keep the pressure on equal ladder leader Laverton.
After skittling seventh-placed Newport for just 79 runs, Grand United had enough time to skip past the total with just two wickets down.
At stumps United was 2/91 after batting for 34 overs.
Earlier, the Rams lost their first two wickets with just five runs on the board, before Colin Clark attempted to steady the ship.
He compiled an impressive 31 runs – almost half his team’s total – with Bradley Howlett (14) the only other Newport player to reach double figures.
In other A Turf matches, Gellibrand also grabbed hold of the first innings points against bottom side Deer Park Ardeer.
Andrew Neville was the destroyer with four wickets as Deer Park crawled to 123 from almost 50 overs, with Mark Suvada top-scoring with 30.
Gellibrand was never seriously in trouble in the reply dig, passing the target with two wickets down then ramming home the advantage with a 107-run partnership between skipper David Croft, who hit 60, and an unbeaten 54 from Steven Beehag.
Gellibrand ended the day at 3/186 and in a strong position to shoot for an outright win.
If it succeeds, it will be Deer Park Ardeer’s second such defeat in the season so far.
A six-wicket haul from Darron Batties ensured Laverton picked up Newport-Digman’s meek total of 75 runs.
Laverton was 4/111 after dismissing the opposition in 30 overs and occupying the crease for the remainder of the day.
