By STEVE BROWN
UPPER Ferntree Gully leg spinner Robbie Birnie caused the Upwey Tecoma batsmen a few problems as he tore through the Tigers innings to claim impressive figures of 5/46. Another five-wicket haul against Belgrave in the opening round has his confidence soaring. Upwey could only muster 134 with Mitchell Hewitt 44 and Steve Moore 37 the only batsmen to get a start, however the Tigers bowlers struck back at stumps to have the Kings 3/39 in a game that will finish early next week. The match at Fairpark between Johnson Park and Belgrave is also in the balance as the pitch was taking spin at both ends. Home side Johnson Park scored a below par 167 as Bryn Gaunt returned to the crease without touching a cricket bat to top score for the Sharks with 68, but it was the spin of Ben Carnell (4/24) and John Levell (3/59) who turned the game. The Magpies are 2/33 in reply and have a little work to do, but should bring it home.
Knoxfield wicket-keeper Jayden Raab scored his first half century in Reeves Shield as the Knights piled on 244 against Ferntree Gully at the Wally Tew Oval. Kane Murphy gave good support with 45 while young fast bowler Patrick Turner collected 4/32. The Gully batsmen must fire this week in pursuit of a difficult total at this time of the year.
Monbulk’s 160 won’t be enough against The Basin who are 0/19 overnight at Batterham Park and chasing their third win. Lomax Medallist Aaron Powell was the only Hawks batsman to trouble the scorers with 43 as Matthew Heskes (3/59) bowled the Bears into a winning position.
Reigning premiers Eildon Park continues to play consistent cricket setting 231 at home to Knox Gardens. This time it was Ben Morris with an impressive 78 who led the charge, well supported by Nathan Hicks (53). Adam Wild took 4/42 and Scott McInerney 4/13 for the Falcons who had to survive a short period at the crease before the end of play and was 0/7.
Scores
Reeves Shield
Johnson Park 167 (Gaunt 68, Carnell 4/24, Levell 3/59) vs Belgrave 2/33
Upwey Tecoma 134 (Mitch Hewitt 44, Moore 37, Birnie 5/46) vs Upper Gully 3/39
Monbulk 160 (Powell 43, M. Heskes 3/52) vs The Basin 0/19
Eildon Park 231 (B. Morris 78, Hicks 53, Wild 4/42, McInerney 4/13) vs Knox Gardens 0/7
Knoxfield 244 (Raab 51, Murphy 45, Turner 4/32, Downes 3/26) vs Ferntree Gully.
Decoite Shield
Auravale 290 (Quinlan 58, Miles 34, Dodd 38no, Grenda 4/85, Lovell 3/38) vs St Johns Tecoma
South Belgrave 167 (Sutherland 54no, Lakshita 3/23, Hepburn 3/20, Rawlings 3/47) vs FTG Footballers.
Mt Gate 9/219 (Bowden 65, Buckland 46, Sidhu 5/68) vs Knox City
Rowville 154 (DeSilva 40no, Paull 5/30, Inglis 3/37) vs Lysterfield 2/32
Division 3
Upper Gully 9/239 (Begley 68, Sanders 49, Wood 3/49) vs Upwey Tecoma
The Basin 243 (Koster 57, Brown 48, Howard 3/60, Maher 3/62) vs Monbulk
Knox Gardens 7/371 (Gregory 123, Marget 86, Hay 59, Clark 3/63) vs Eildon Park
Belgrave 201 (Ayre 55, Zoethout 48, Gstrein 4/39, Duke 3/42) vs Johnson Park
Ferntree Gully 230 (Brown 94, Richardson 59, Faulkner 5/42) vs Knoxfield
Division 4
South Belgrave 3/365 (Ray 157, Barry 100, Maddox 57no, Storey 3/84) vs Footballers
Knox Boronia Churches 137 (White 38, Castledine 8/41) vs Mt Gate
Lysterfield 218 (D’Rosario 58, Legallene 4/30) vs Rowville
St Johns Tecoma 132 (Miller 36, Wevor 4/34) vs Auravale 4/148 (Dubbeld 54)
