A string of late wickets to Luke Condon has given Batemans Bay’s second grade side the edge after the first day of their round 13 match against Bay and Basin at Sanctuary Point Oval.
Condon’s figures of 4/24 tipped the scales in the Bay’s favour, with the home side set to resume at 5/60 in reply to the Bay’s total of 177.
Club president and father to Luke, John Condon, said his son’s performance couldn’t have come at better time for the seconds.
“The cancellation of last week’s play hurt us badly because we were looking good to win our round 12 match,” he said.
“Now we need to win this match outright and also win the next game to make the finals.
“It will be a tough ask, but I don’t think it is beyond the team.”
It was Bay and Basin who won the toss and sent their opponents into bat.
Their decision looked to have paid off early on in the innings when Knight was caught short of his ground to be dismissed for one.
The visitors managed to recover, however, with opener Simon Blue and number three Sam Lee adding 39 before the former was dismissed for 19 off the bowling of Callum Franchi.
Lee continued briefly with Matt Sethi until he fell in a similar fashion for 28.
Sethi’s dismissal for 23 sparked a mini collapse, with the Bay losing 3/14 to be 6/109.
A couple of lower order cameos from Andrew Malcolm (28) and Brendan Blackmore (30) pushed the score past 150, but the side lost their final three wickets in quick succession to be all out for 177 after 50 overs.
Phillip Cowan was the best of the Bay and Basin bowlers with 3/22 off five overs.
In response, the home side’s top order couldn’t handle Condon, who had an almost immediate impact opening the bowling.
He was well supported by Sam Lee, who finished with 1/7 off five overs.
Closer to home, Hanging Rock played host to a top of the table clash in the third grade with the Bay hoping to leapfrog Berry-Shoalhaven Heads with victory in their Round 13 clash.
After losing the toss and being made to field, the Bay were made to work hard for their wickets throughout the day, but still managed to restrict their opponents to an achievable target, Berry finishing the day at 9/151 after 62 overs.
Thirds captain Pat Griffin and Tom Purcell were the pick of the Bay bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/26 and 3/25, respectively.
Josh Lee, Luke Wiggins and Lachlan Croke were other wicket takers for the side on the day.
Round 13 is the penultimate round of the Shoalhaven season.
