By Adrian Ceddia
AN inspiring century from Rahmatullah Khwaja helped Kingsville Baptists to an imposing total at home against Craigieburn in the North B1 Division of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association.
Khwaja struck 107 runs in the middle order to help Kingsville to a first innings total of 9/294 after batting out the allotted 80 overs at Angliss Reserve.
In what turned out to be a long day in the field for Craigieburn, the Baptists’ top order took charge early in the day before losing late wickets.
As well as the century maker, Kingsville was served brilliantly by opener Senad Levic and number three Steven Kennedy, who both hit telling half centuries.
In the face of the heavy barrage of runs, Craigieburn’s Leigh Hunter picked up 3/30 and Andrew Kilpatrick snared 2/73.
In other North B1 matches, Greenvale had three players reach half centuries as the side punished the Seabrook bowling attack.
Craig Pridham (69), Bill Loughron (56) and Adam Chapple (53) all played fine hands as Greenvale reached 9/305 in its 80 overs.
The club’s total was the second-highest of the season so far and will provide Seabrook with a difficult chase this week.
In Senior A1 Division, a disastrous final two overs left Seddon in dire straits against East Keilor at the halfway mark.
After winning the toss, Seddon sent East Keilor in to bat and the visitors responded by compiling 204 runs in 78 overs.
Andrew Hogan top-scored with 44 runs, while Seddon skipper Adnan Khawaja returned 3/35 in an exhausting 21 overs.
With only two overs remaining in the day’s play, Seddon’s openers needed only to hang on and resume the run chase this week.
But East Keilor opening bowler Jason McGann had other ideas, taking two wickets in his first over to leave the home side stranded at 2/0 at the end of day one.
Hoppers Crossing was embroiled in a similar fight for ascendency against Sunshine Druids, but survived one over with the bat after a solid day in the field.
The Druids were sent in and batted for 78 overs, finishing on 213 before Hoppers Crossing faced six deliveries, all of which were negotiated safely.
The three top-performed teams of the opening round – Airport West/St Christopher’s, Strathmore and Melbourne High School Old Boys – all posted strong first innings totals and are favoured to continue their early season form this weekend.
