UPPER Beaconsfield is set to chase 151 for victory this week after a tight bowling performance against Cardinia in Bgrade on Saturday.
Batting first, the Bulls managed to build an average total of 158 in the face of some tight bowling.
Maroons’ captain Scott Pitcher bowled tidily for Upper Beaconsfield to send down 20 overs and capture 3/41.
He was ably supported by Dan Brennan, who held the batsmen in check, picking up 2/19 with his leftarm cutters.
Kim Hassall contributed 1/7 while Aaron Gray, 1/21, also bowled steadily and was supported by Luke Pitcher who chipped in with a wicket.
At stumps Upper Beaconsfield was 0/7 requiring a further 152 for victory.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:C GRADE
For the third game in a row Upper Beaconsfield travelled to its temporary home at Maryknoll.
Shawn Hassall elected to bat and the team was given a solid start as Rob Irving and Rob Hansen batted for 15 overs before Hansen edged to first slip.
Irving soon followed, but an excellent partnership between Chris Curran (24) and Dave Ardley (28) added 60 runs before Ardley was given out, hooking at a short delivery.
At 2/85 the Maroons suffered a mini collapse as they struggled to 6/95.
An experienced performance steadied the run flow as Peter Brennan worked his way through another stressful situation.
Brennan aggressively combated the menacing bowling and crafted a sensible 32 with the support of Richard Edwards and Shawn Hassall.
The Maroons were dismissed after 67 overs for 158 – its best batting performance to date.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:UNDER 15
Upper Beaconsfield journeyed to Akoonah Park to confront Nar Nar GoonMaryknoll.
The Marygoons, one of the strongest teams in the competition, batted first and reached 2/145 from their allocated 40 overs.
Tom Jennings bowled tidily to pick up a wicket, while Lachlan Henstock took a very good catch as the Maroons attempted to stem the flow of runs.
Upper Beaconsfield will need to bat very solidly to hold out the Nar Nar Goon bowlers this week.
