Tigers on back foot

By Steve Brown
THE Lysterfield Beavers were busy with the timber at Lakesfield Reserve in their round-six clash with Upwey-Tecoma on Saturday.
Choosing to bat first, the home side reached 4/234 with 21 overs to play, before there was a rain delay at 4.30pm. Under a new ruling for the top two divisions, play could continue until 7pm to assist in achieving a result next week.
When play resumed, the Beavers plundered the Upwey attack to the tune of 9/342, with Darren Spence registering 54 against his former team. Kyle Snyman (73) and Daniel Forster-Jennings (56) also contributed strongly in what appears to be a winning total. Off spinner Steve Ganell took five wickets for the Tigers.
Belgrave performed well against Eildon Park, which was out for 162. Panthers skipper Josh Dowling (38) and Simon Hill (3/58) were the best performers.
The Magpies must bat the full day next week to keep in touch with the top four.
The wheels have fallen off Ferntree Gully’s batting line-up as it has been dismissed for 101 in successive weeks. The Gully lost its first wicket on 25 and it was an uphill battle after that, with the Johnson Park bowlers consistently attacking off stump.
There were good performances from medium-fast bowler Mark Winton, who returned from Premier club Fitzroy Doncaster, and left-arm bowler Liarne Desilva (3/21). The Sharks were 0/15 and in the box seat when play was abandoned at 5.25pm.
Bottom team Mountain Gate lifted a notch by posting 204 against The Basin, with Clint Buckland (53) and recruit Ekanayke (40), from the DDCA, giving the Gators a target to defend.
For the Huntsmen, Leigh James and “RS” Rundle claimed four wickets each.
Rowville batsman Tate Burgmann continues to show his class, scoring 78 out of a total of 177 against Upper Gully Kings.
Jay Colee followed up his good performance with the ball against West Gippsland, taking 5/61 and being well supported by Dave Goodger (4/52).
St Johns Tecoma was on track for its first win, having restricted Monbulk to 7/109 when storms halted play for the day.
Leading batsman Jason Fraser was dismissed for 24, and the Hawks have 13 overs to bat this week.