Points are still up for grabs as Saturday sees the resumption of the first instalment of red-ball clashes in the McMahon Shield.
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The matches between Bamawm-Lockington United and Echuca South, and Tongala and Echuca, are still in the balance, while Leitchville-Gunbower is looking to build on a dominant first day to secure an outright victory.
At Bamawm Recreation Reserve, both sides remain bullish about their chances after a hard-fought day one.
Echuca South could make a case that it is marginally ahead in the clash, having lost just one wicket for their 36, in reply to BLU’s first-innings 136.
Kaydn Blachford (13 not-out) and Asantha Singappuli (4 not-out) will resume at the crease on day two, with Clayton Watson (16) the only man removed so far.
Jeremy Felmingham (1-17) made the lone breakthrough for BLU, his fifth scalp of the season.
Earlier in the day the Lions gritted their way to a competitive total thanks mostly to talismanic captain Regis Chakabva (50) who added another half-century to his tally.
The innings was also held together by Kade Pearse’s marathon 143-ball stay in the middle.
AK Gunathilaka (4-22) was the main weapon with the ball for South, and the Swans will look to him to continue his form should they need to bowl again.
At Tongala Recreation Reserve, the hometown Blues are looking to shock Echuca, after making it to stumps at 4-62 in chase of the champion’s 117 first-innings score.
After digging in at the end of the day, Adam Nunn (11 not-out) will resume proceedings in the centre, having been recently joined by Darin Ohlsen (5 not-out).
Tonny hasn’t been a world-beater with the bat in recent years, but having set itself up on day one, and the entire day’s play ahead of it, the middle order will be hopeful it can do enough to seal a memorable victory.
Kale Edwards (2-21) made a good start to the bowling innings for Echuca and will look to continue to strike blows for the visitors on day two.
In the opening innings, a bullocking 46 from 33 from Curtis Townrow and 28 from Charlie Hinks were the only scores of note as Echuca posted a modest total.
Alex Williams (3-30) and Lachlan Caldwell (3-41) both struck often for Tonny, and may be called on again on day two
While it seems likely Echuca will bat again at some point during the day, an outright win looks to be out of reach for both sides, but should wickets tumble rapidly the improbable could start to look possible.
Leitchville-Gunbower is in the strongest position of any side heading into the day, having already sewn up first innings points away to Nondies-Cohuna.
After a brilliant century highlighted proceedings for L-G the previous round, it was the visiting bowlers who were called on to make an impact on day one.
Nondies-Cohuna’s struggles to start the season continued with the side only able to survive 44.4 overs and accumulate 79 runs at Cohuna Recreation Reserve before being dismissed.
Marcus Stubbs (3-16) and Jye Keath (3-27) each took three wickets to lead the way for L-G.
In reply, L-G eclipsed Nondies’ total in the remaining 32 overs of play, finishing at 4-115.
The danger man is Billy Hawken, who will resume unbeaten on 61, no doubt eyeing off a century, while Josh Hawken (1 not-out) will face up at the other end as a relatively fresh batsman.
With points already banked from the first innings, an ideal day two for L-G will see them build a competitive lead, before declaring to take a shot at the Nondies batsmen again in search of an outright win.
The host will take some solace from a late batting collapse from Leitchville-Gunbower, who lost 3-6 near the end of the day.
Tim Johnson was the offender, taking 3-9 from his four overs.
It would take an almighty effort for N-C to get anything from the game, but the home side will be hoping to at least deny their opponents the euphoria of an outright victory.
All three McMahon Shield clashes will resume at noon on Saturday, November 2.
Cadet sports journalist