Meerlieu and Paynesville are locked in an intriguing battle at the Meerlieu Cricket Ground in Bairnsdale Cricket Association round 14 action.
The Tussocks posted 195 in 56 overs, with Connor Mitchell’s enterprising 75 from 84 balls and Daniel Richardson’s 30 from 28 the standout contributions.
Both players cleared the ropes with massive sixes, helping Meerlieu recover after early wickets.
Openers Des Hine (27) and Anthony Simpson (35) had given the innings a strong start, adding 59 for the first wicket, but only two others reached double figures.
Richardson and Mitchell added 46 for the fifth wicket, putting the Tussocks in a relatively solid position at 5/136.
When Richardson departed, Mitchell was left to shoulder the innings, but the tail soon crumbled around him.
Mitchell was the last man out, caught and bowled by Paynesville skipper Isaac Love, who bowled a strong spell of 5/45 from 18 overs. Nathan Schoultz also impressed, using his underrated leg spin to take 3/55, including the key wickets of Richardson and Simpson.
Meerlieu’s opening bowling combination of Mark Carley and Braidan Wylie Commins proved effective, reducing Paynesville to 3/21 in the eighth over. Wylie Commins finished with 2/11 from five overs, while Schoultz removed Mitch Wilmott and Tim Dessent.
Aaron Cameron (34 from 57) and Caleb Marsh (16 from 51) steadied the innings in the final 16 overs of play, surviving to set up what promises to be a thrilling finish on day two.
Both sides have a history of close contests and this match is shaping up to be no different. Meerlieu holds a slight advantage with runs on the board, with Mitchell likely to anchor the innings if he can find form.
Paynesville will need contributions from Cameron, Marsh, Rod Clack, Mitch Thacker or Noah Benentt to chase the target and keep their slim finals hopes alive.
Failure to negotiate the Meerlieu bowling attack could end their finals aspirations, but a win would keep the contest wide open.
