Rain caused havoc in the Sale-Maffra Cricket Association at the weekend.
The first day of Round 6 saw the diversity of Gippsland weather on full display, as showers hit some areas more than others.
Heavy rain in Sale around 1.30pm meant plenty of lost time, as batman were forced to deal with tricky conditions.
In an amazing situation, only 17 overs were bowled at Stephenson Park, compared to 49 at Sale Oval, literally on the same stretch of road.
As all four games got a start however, games remain very much alive, with intrigue now surrounding just how respective captains will try and force results heading into Day 2.
ROSEDALE-KILMANY is already chasing against Stratford.
The Warriors have completed half a job, and are 0/19 in pursuit of 107 on their home deck.
There was plenty for bowlers to get excited about upon inspection of the wicket, and Rosedale-Kilmany decided to inject the Redbacks at the start of play.
Regardless of what a team does first, they still have to do it well, and the Warriors did just that.
A run out started things off, which led to wickets tumbling at regular intervals.
Stratford welcomed Cormac Hassett back into the side, yet he became one of many to depart for single figures.
Only opening bat Chris Aurisch was able to make any impression on the scorecard, falling just three short of a gritty half-century.
Aurisch had to reign in his usually attacking self (47 off 81 balls), highlighting not only the trickiness of the surface, but how the Warriors were making full use of any assistance.
Drew Owen continued his good form, taking 5/12 off 9.3 overs.
Owen backed-up his four wickets from the previous match, cleaning up the tail (not always the easiest thing to do) to see Stratford bowled out inside 45 overs.
Fielders also supported their bowlers for Rosedale-Kilmany, with eight catches taken throughout the innings.
Warriors skipper Isaac Love took 2/20, before sending Michael Walters and Kai Snape out to open.
The pair survived six overs and got to 0/19 when stumps were eventually called.
BUNDALAGUAH is in the midst of a good contest against Sale.
The Bulls are 4/88 taking on the league-leaders at Sale Oval.
The visitors decided to bat first, and perhaps frustratingly, saw the entire top order do the hard yards before getting out.
Sale stayed patient throughout its 49 overs in the field, with no bowler going at more than 2.5.
The depth of options for Ben Jones’ team was again on display, as nine capable bowlers were used.
That Jones himself only bowled one over perhaps demonstrated this fully.
Hayden Wrigglesworth dug in for 23 off 82 balls, yet fell to South African Coenie Nel.
The South Africans had a hand in all four wickets to fall, with Garreth Wolmarans taking two and effecting a run out.
In a case of ‘it’s a small world’, Nel’s name came up in cricket conversations with this author at the weekend.
Playing in Melbourne and bumping into former Sale cricketer Josh Benson, we were discussing the fortunes of his home club and the record partnership between Nel and Nathan Massey the week before.
Among the incoming batmen waiting on the sidelines, one of them mentioned they played with Nel at Bentleigh in the city Southern Bayside league.
Benson is still plying his trade for Melbourne in Victorian Premier Cricket, and top-scored with 39 for the Demons Thirds at the weekend.
BATTING again let Maffra down.
The Eagles opted to try their luck having a hit after winning the toss at College Oval, but are now looking at a low first innings total.
The visitors are 9/86, having become unstuck from a somewhat unlikely source in Zac Hurley.
The Collegians Captain, more noted for his punishing batting, did the damage with the ball, taking 5/12 with his off breaks.
Hurley sent down 16 overs and returned nine maidens, in what may have evoked memories of Allan Border taking 7/46 against the West Indies in a Test Match.
Using his cricket smarts, Hurley put fielders in the right spots and prized the wickets of Ben Durrant, Josh Rurawhe, Jonny Lawrence, Josh Davis and Nathan Hibbins – all far from mugs with the bat.
Nathan Whitford again took multiple wickets, this time snaring 3/41 off 18 overs.
The express quick worked closely with Hurley, sending down a combined total of 34 of the 51 overs bowled.
Maffra will continue batting into Day 2, with Lee Hopkins and Seb Pendergast at the crease.
Hopkins is 21 not out from 80 balls, while Pendergast is nought from three.
While their task is looking onerous, both can certainly hit boundaries, and will want to at least post a total that makes Collegians think.
Pendergast famously hit a six to win the game for Stratford a few years ago, and with MS Dhoni-like wrists, could again look to let the bottom hand take over and send a few.
ONLY 17 overs were bowled in the game between Longford and Yarram.
The Pelicans bowled fist, but couldn’t get a breakthrough as Harry Wilkinson and Waltley Sutton saw off 50 balls each.
The Lizards will resume Day 2 at 0/39.
BOISDALE-BRIAGOLONG had the bye, and were probably happy to as well.
