DDCA: Toby Wills takes 7-10 across two innings on day one as Ashan Walgamage, Ishan Jayarathna shines

The Bears had batted first and managed 171 from 44 overs at Frawley Rd, before skittling the Hawks for 54 in 22 overs in reply and reducing them to 3-18 in the second innings by the close of play.

“To be rolled for 170-odd and leaving 36 overs wasn’t what we planned to do,” said Berwick coach Brad James of his side’s batting.

“What we did to turn it around, that was remarkable … if you had of said they’re three down and still 100 to get in a second hit you’d take that every day of the week.”

James described Wills’ remarkable haul with ball in hand as “reward for effort”.

“He just does what we ask of him, hit the top of off stump and you’re going to ask questions and on the weekend he asked a hell of a lot of questions and got the rewards,” James said.

“I’d say it has to be right up there for a whole day performance, I don’t think it gets better than that that I’ve seen … it was very unexpected.”

James also lauded the strength of his side’s bowling attack, having added Englishman Tom Davis and former Sri Lankan first-class cricketer Vinuda Liyanage – who also chipped in with a crucial first innings half century.

“The strike back from the bowlers and even the fielding group is exactly what we wanted, everyone of them is a a strike bowler,” James said.

“Last year we might have been lacking one or two but you can throw the ball to any of them and they can do that.”

BEACY IN BOX SEAT

Beaconsfield finds itself in a commanding position against Parkmore, holding a 262-run lead heading into day two with seven wickets to get.

The Tigers decision to declare on 5-278 proved masterful as they reduced the Pirates to 3-16 in 15 overs. Jake Cutting, Sam Read, and Mitchell Tielen all took a wicket apiece.

Ashan Walgamage led the way with the bat for Beaconsfield, piling on an unbeaten 136.

IN THE BALANCE

Narre South has made a strong start to its clash with Springvale South with a close finish likely awaiting.

A 77-ball 74 from Adam Snelling at number eight proved crucial and lifted the Lions to 210 from their 71.5 overs, and with eight overs to bowl at the Bloods, both Tom Arnold and Jeevan Mendis managed wickets to reduce them to 2-16 heading into day two.

WOOKEY MEDALLIST STRIKES AGAIN

An even batting display from Buckley Ridges has left them with a 252-run lead over Dandenong West.

The Bulls are 2-26 from nine overs at the crease, with Ishan Jayarathna claiming both wickets.

The reigning Wookey Medallist also provided a 53-ball 59 from number eight with bat in hand as his side posted 278. Ben Wright (69 runs) was the other key contributor.

Originally published as DDCA: Toby Wills takes 7-10 across two innings on day one as Ashan Walgamage, Ishan Jayarathna shines