PERFECT conditions for cricket greeted players for the first day of round 16 matches, with ladder leaders Devonport in control of its match against Wynyard, Latrobe and Burnie Yeoman evenly poised, while Ulverstone claimed first day honours against Sheffield in a low scoring affair.
Latrobe v Burnie Yeoman
The Emus won the toss at the Latrobe Recreation Ground and elected to bowl first.
The move looked to have paid dividends with the home team falling to 2-18 before a 40-run partnership between Joel Salter and Matt Clarke gave the innings some substance.
However, the visitors hit back again, claiming three wickets in the space of five runs to leave the Demons struggling again at 5-63.
Another 40-run stand, this time between Tristan Weeks and Josh Dennis rescued Latrobe again, finishing their 45 overs at 5-103.
In reply, Burnie Yeoman found partnerships hard to come by as Dion Parsons ripped through the top and middle order to leave them reeling at 8-83.
But a 48-run partnership between Brady Grey (33 no) and Matt Bowen (24 no) steadied the leaking ship and the duo took the Emus to stumps at 8-131.
Sheffield v Ulverstone
The Mountaineers batted first but it was the Ulverstone attack that led the way as they dominated the first 45 overs.
Two wickets apiece to Luke Richardson, Sam Murfitt and Shaun Knott ensured the home team never got any momentum as they battled to 8-89.
Only a eighth wicket stand of 20 between Brenton Gale (16 no) and Simon Ackerley (9 no) prevented further embarrassment.
The Robins made the bold move to open the innings with usual tailender Lyndon Stubbs, and the move paid off with Stubbs contributing a handy 23.
However the outcome of the match will hinge on the innings of Captain Josh Walmsley, who finished the day on 31 no, as the visitors ended their first split of 45 overs well placed at 4-91
Devonport v Wynyard
Ladder leaders Devonport travelled to Wynyard and promoted Stuart Martin to opener as he and Luke Marshall put on 45 for the opening wicket against a Wynyard team missing Shannon Bakes and Gregg Sharman.
After Marshall was dismissed for 26, Martin combined with Brent Mullett for a 72-run stand.
However, the Blues hit back and claimed the vital wickets of Martin and Mullett, as well as Shane Philpott, to leave the visitors at 4-131.
After losing in-form opener Scott Blizzard for a duck, Wynyard took their score to 1-39.
But the move to bring on medium pacer Luke Marshall paid off immediately as he claimed two wickets in his first over and at one stage had figures of 3-0 off five overs as the home team crashed to 5-47.
Wynyard finished the day at 6-96.
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