SYDENHAM Hillside will have its hands full this Saturday in the George Luscombe Shield trying to defend its first innings total of 177 against Buckley Park.
The Storm chose to bat on its home deck, but quickly found itself in trouble at 2/20 before Sanahasa Fernando was able to lead a rescue mission from number four in the order.
Fernando made 22 and produced a 36-run partnership alongside Dylan Knight before both were dismissed with Sydenham Hillside stuck on 56.
Things then got much worse for the Storm when Jarryd Lindsay was sent packing for a handled ball, leaving his team on 5/57.
However, Nick Ferguson then led a second revival alongside captain-coach John Thrush and Mario Buttigieg to ultimately produce a respectable total for the Storm.
In response, Buckley Park is currently 1/42 with Leigh O’Mara (24) and John Markham (13) at the crease after 19 overs.
CAROLINE Springs is locked in a tense battle with Werribee Centrals after day one of its Williamstown District Cricket Association match.
Having been sent into bat by the Centrals, Caroline Springs looked in trouble early losing opening pair Nishaant Kashyap and Tarun Chhimwal cheaply.
However, the home side was able to steady through a solid partnership from Medha Rahman and Troy Blackman. The Springs were able to fight their way to a total of 198 after 61 overs.
Werribee was left to rue 31 extras it conceded during the Caroline Springs innings including 18 byes.
In reply, Werribee is 0/10 after three overs.
In other A Grade Matting results, Wyndhamvale is in a strong position against Tarneit after posting 171 on the first day.
Tarneit is 2/28 and will require a further 143 runs to win when play resumes this week.
YARRAVILLE started its Victorian Sub District Cricket Association season in the best possible way, defeating Moorabbin by seven wickets.
After being forced to bowl first, the Eagles made a great start through opening bowler Alex Hewitt.
The Yarraville captain finished with figures of 4/7 from eight overs in the spell that included four maidens.
Moorabbin was eventually bowled out for 141 in the 43rd over.
In reply, Yarraville recovered from the loss of two early wickets to easily chase down the total with 10 overs remaining.
Daniel Saville and Adam Yates combined for a brilliant 121-run partnership in the middle of the innings to guide the Eagles to the impressive first up win.
Yates top scored for the match with 82 not out.
Gun recruit Matthew Harrison also looked settled in the middle before he was run out for 16.
This week, Yarraville will meet Altona.
WILLIAMSTOWN slipped to a disappointing defeat against Altona in round one of the VSDCA on Saturday.
Returning to its home ground for the first time since a number of impressive redevelopments, Williamstown was sent into bat by cross-town rival Alton, and the signs looked good early.
Openers Nathan Hall and Grant Sandars combined for a 37-run opening stand before Sandars was dismissed by Liam Keating for 10.
From there, wickets continued to fall throughout the innings as the home side struggled to build strong partnerships.
At the conclusion of its 45 overs, Williamstown reached 8/151 with Hall top scoring on 42.
Graham Murdoch (35) and Brenton Hodges (25) were the other notable performers.
In reply, Altona was able to safely navigate its way to reach the total in the 43rd over for the loss of just four wickets.
Despite the loss, gun Williamstown bowling recruit and former Victorian and West Australian state player Matthew Inness was outstanding in his debut, taking 3/17 from nine overs.
Williamstown will look to secure its first win of the season this week against Brighton.
