COLDSTREAM captain-coach Daniel Adams has called on his bowlers to improve as the Crocs look to consolidate their first innings score of 7-269 in their match against Woori Yallock in the YVCA DJ Strachan Shield.
"We did pretty well after last week, being bowled out for 55. We wanted to make up for it, so we're happy to post a solid score like we did," he said.
Adams also said he was banking on one bowler in particular to perform.
"Matt Stark is our main bowler this year. We'll be looking for him to get back on track," he said.
"He hasn't had the best of starts so far this season. He's been training well, though, so he'll be keen to get some wickets again."
On their way to 269, Adams made a solid 58, but it was the performance of Nick Tucker (62) and Chris Dobson (55 not out) which caught the captain's eye.
"Nick did very well, it was his first game in the seniors and he did a great job for us. Dobson's performance was just dynamic at the end of the day, hitting sixes and getting our score up in the final few overs." Going into the second day's play, Adams is weary, but confident his side has posted a defendable total. "Hopefully, it's a good enough score; with our bowling stocks we should be able to do it," he said.
"I think they [Woori Yallock] made a pretty good score last week. The pitch is fairly quick and they have a good batting line-up so we'll have to get off to a good start."
The worst batting display of the round came at Yarra Junction, as the winless Eagles dismantled a dismal Mt Evelyn.
Promising opening bowler Quentin Hodgkinson (4-14) was again among the wickets, while Nathan Fall produced a fine display of outswing to bag five wickets of his own. The pair's brilliant bowling, coupled with the Rovers' poor discipline reduced the visitors to 8-24. A spirited tail end fight got the total to 64, but the damage had been done.
With minimal fuss, the home side knocked off the required runs. Smart batting and little need for urgency allowed the Eagles to work their way to 3-89 at the end of the day. The wickets of David and Dan Lever, have dinted the home side's quest for outright points, but with seven wickets in hand the Eagles are poised to get their season back on track.
At Healesville, Hoddles Creek batted first and for the second week in a row showed fight with the bat. But it was unable to muster enough strike power to mount a score of significance.
Classy batsman Brenton Derix (36) again led from the front , but he will be disappointed as his dismissal hampered the Wombats' efforts.
Healesville gained some momentum with captain Stephen James (3-12) leading the charge with his disciplined lines and lengths. He was ably supported by the consistent trio Andy Harrison (2-20), Chance Burridge (2-22) and Brad Chandler (2-38).
Healesville has put itself in the box seat with a disciplined batting effort, and should take the points.
Seville had an up and down day at home against Warburton-Millgrove. The Blues made a strong start to the contest with out of form recruit Ranga Yasalal building a solid foundation with 44. But his efforts, like those of his teammates, didn't amount to anything significant as cagey slow bowler Adam Humphrey turned the screws with 5-34 to bowl the home side out for 157.
Ishi Amarasinge (2-12) and Matt Tilney ensured they had the visitors on the ropes as they closed the day on 3-16.