By Steve Brown
UPPER Ferntree Gully leg spinner Alister Lord, promoted from Decoite Shield, helped his team plough through Lysterfield for 152 on day one of round 6.
Chris Hill again top scored for the Beavers with 45 but it was Lord who did the damage with 5/40 and the Kings are eyeing off a spot in the four.
Top side and current Knox Tavern Cup holders Rowville gave Mt Gate a taste of their own medicine when they compiled 9/323 at H.V. Jones Reserve on the first day of round 6.
Gillespie, a former DDCA player, tonned up with 113 while Victorian Country Representative Paul Evans tipped in with 74.
Medium pace bowler Lee Goddard collected four wickets for the Gators who will be tested next week.
The Basin, playing Upwey recovered from a disastrous start of 3/2 thanks to contributions from Adam Luckman (78) and opener Adam “smiley” Smith (48).
The Upwey attack was focused after coming off a tight loss last round with the addition of seamer Paul McCarrick who took 6/58.
The Basin was eventually dismissed for 183 and the Tigers were 0/9 at stumps.
Knox Gardens ventured to Belgrave for the first time and came up against Nick Bole-Brown. The injury plagued fast bowler was on top for most of the afternoon taking best figures of the day with 6/51 as the Gardens were knocked over for 145.
Belgrave have wiped 46 off the target without loss and will be in front by tea next Saturday.
Ferntree Gully 6/242 continues to impress against Johnson Park who have struggled to take wickets in the past two matches. Evergreen Blues skipper Graham Salan made 88 and he was well supported by Randall Joseph and young 15-year-old prospect Ryan Handley.
Knoxfield are 2/42 and well on the way to passing St Johns Tecoma’s 140. Trevor Ashton (4/27) and “Agent” Mulder 3/47 have bowled the Knights into a comfortable position.
Meanwhile in Decoite Shield, Cody Morris (158) helped set up Eildon Park’s 284 against The Basin.
Upwey was disappointing against Upper Gully reaching only 143, with veteran Mick Beyer in the game with 4/42.
Footballers managed to bat all day for 201 against top side South Belgrave, with South’s Todd Burley (5/85) in terrific form.
Monbulk (265) are on top in their match battle with Lysterfield.
Former Ferndale batsman Bohun scored a century for the Hawks while Paul Moore collected 5/31 and Ferntree Gully were dismissed for 204 by Johnson Park.