By Chris Anderson
WARBURTON-Millgrove has stamped itself as the team to beat in the D.J. Strachan Shield after the first day of round 11 action in the Yarra Valley Cricket Association.
Warburton-Millgrove V
Woori Yallock
After coming off a round 10 bye, the Burras compiled their third score of over 300 in as many games. This time it was at the expense of a lacklustre Woori Yallock attack as they compiled a massive 432 on their home turf.
Association legend Mick Walker (102) was the mainstay of the innings with a fantastic century and was well supported by top-order partners Scott Darwall (77) and Tim McKail (44).
Recruit Troy Murphy put the icing on the cake with a blistering 87.
Tigers spinner Ben Hayes toiled hard for the visitors in oppressive conditions with figures of 7/118.
Mount Evelyn V Seville
In the showcase match of the round between Mount Evelyn and Seville, the visitors would be slightly happier with the day one proceedings, despite giving the home side a sniff late in the day.
In hot conditions, the Rovers won the toss and elected to bat first against the might of the Blues attack.
A solid opening partnership between Steven Kogelman and Troy Hancock was what the home side was looking for, and a 50-run partnership laid the foundation against some formidable bowling by the Seville openers.
The introduction of Seville captain Dean Troyhan turned the game in the Blues’ favour as his disciplined line and length brought the Rovers undone as he recorded figures of 6/33.
A last-wicket partnership of 55 gave the Rovers a respectable score of 197, but the home side would be fully aware that they will need to bowl well on a good batting ground if they are to get the points.
Coldstream V Yarra Junction
Sitting second on the ladder, Coldstream has gone from strength to strength this season, and it hosted a Yarra Junction side keen to finish off an indifferent season.
The Eagles won the toss and elected to bat and had to battle for their runs on the slow and wide expanses of Coldstream Reserve.
In what proved to be slow going the visitors could only manage 132 on the back of in-form batsman Travis Nightingale’s innings of 54 not out.
Dean Semken (6/33) staked his claims as the association’s best spin bowler with yet another six-wicket haul.
Despite the slow conditions, the home side will view day two as a golden opportunity to fine tune their indifferent recent batting performances.
Silvan V Healesville
This season’s battlers Silvan hosted Healesville in a game both teams would’ve viewed as an opportunity to build on what have been slim pickings in 2011/12.
Silvan won the toss and elected to bat and like Yarra Junction, had to battle hard against a tight Healesville attack to get their runs.
At the end of an even day’s play, the Slugs posted a defensible score of 187 on the back of Ryan Sleeman’s undefeated knock of 78.
Veteran captain Steven James was the pick of the Bloods’ bowlers with 3/22.
The Slugs’ score is neither here nor there, and they will need to bowl well if they are to win, however with some quick wickets against Healesville’s solid top order, they could well roll on to victory.
