Metung Swan Reach are well placed at stumps to push for an outright victory and decrease the gap between the top four sides and the bottom six in the Bairnsdale Cricket Association (BCA)
In the battle of the newlyweds, the Swans outplayed fellow addition to 2024 BCA “A” grade competition, Paynesville on day one of their two day fixture.
The Gulls will resume in its second innings at 0/6, still need 117 runs to require the Swans to bat a second time.
In a disastrous day for Paynesville, they were bundled out for just 51 in the 34th over in their initial innings at the Swan Reach Recreation Reserve.
Only Brayden Radford (20) and Mitch Wilmott (10) offered any resistance, as they capitulated late losing 5/17, under some outstanding bowling from Forhad Haque (5/12), Nathan Yarde (3/7) and Mark Hopgood (2/18).
Gun batsman, Nathan Schoultz couldn’t back up last weeks theatrics, dismissed for a six ball duck.
Haque who has impressed with the bat as well this season, was superb his 12 overs, containing five maidens, his line and length frustrating his opponents.
The Swans batted positively declaring after 43 overs with the score on 8/173, allowing Haque and Hopgood an over each at the Gulls.
Swan Reach Metung got a good contribution from middle order player Jordan Hack who made a well constructed 64, while Yarde impressed late in day making 21 not out.
Wickets for the Gulls were shared between Radford (2/22) and skipper, Wilmott (3/19).
Currently sixth on the table, Metung Swan Reach are two games ajar of fourth-placed Meerlieu, with an outright victory likely to breathe some much needed life in the race to finals in BCA in season 2024/2025.
Paynesville will looking to show more fight in their second dig, with something special required from the hard hitting and prolific Schoultz, if they are to avert an outright or do the unthinkable, push for victory themselves.
