Happy hitting: North Ringwood’s Matt Stoikos hits a shot against Bayswater Park on Saturday. Picture: Sam Stiglec
BAYSWATER Park captain Ben Beech has set his side to beat top team North Ringwood and stamp themselves as a finals contender when plays resumes in their RDCA Lindsay Trollope Shield clash this Saturday.
The Sharks will be chasing the Bulls’ first day total of 7-214 at Guy Turner Reserve, a tally which could have been much smaller had the home side not dropped four catches and conceded 115 runs from the final 20 overs of play.
Bulls batsmen Michael Scott (63), Jeton Rexhepi (45 not out), Matt Stoikos (40) and Leigh Jones (36) all contributed to the final total while Sharks star Marcus Adams (3-72) was the main wicket taker.
Beech said his side had the ability to make the runs but had to provide a work ethic to match.
‘‘The score of 214 is not a massive score, it’s probably par and a good side should chase it,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s just disappointing that we allowed them to get anywhere near that.
‘‘We know they’re top of the ladder for a reason and they’ve restricted sides this year.
‘‘So it’s going to be a good chase but we believe we have enough talent to chase it, we just need the work ethic to go with it.’’
Beech said his side’s poor catching could come back to haunt them but he had capacity to overcome the Bulls’ strong bowling line-up and take a vital win into Christmas.
Mooroolbark sent in South Warrandyte, who were soon in trouble at 3-46.
A 60-run partnership between Josh Barrett (44) and Ben Neagle looked to be heading the Hawks out of trouble but Richard Ellisdon (6-28) had other ideas and routed South Warrandyte’s lower order batsmen to see them dismissed for 139.
Ainslie Park’s Mark Arnot (6-55 off 31 overs) bowled tirelessly against South Croydon, who at one stage were 3-79. The Bulldogs then lost 7-56, to see them dismissed for 135 in 75 overs.
Norwood was once against saved by its lower order batsmen to compile 161 against Warranwood.
After Dan Turner and Andrew Spittle reduced the Vikings to 7-72 at tea, Jarrod Hotchkins (62) then held the innings together to arrive at the final score.
Croydon North’s clash with Wantirna South was washed out and will be played as a one-day fixture this Saturday.