MOWBRAY and South Launceston will resume their top of the table clash next week with the match evenly balanced after an enthralling day of play at Invermay Park.
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With South Launceston paceman Jack Young ripping through the top order, the home side found itself in trouble at 4-42 before a partnership between captain John Le Fevre and innings top-scorer Luke Scott (34) steadied the ship.
Plenty of batsman made starts but few could consolidate, as Mowbray reached 144 thanks to some late order hitting from Jarrod Freeman.
Young helped polish off the tail to finish with 5-46 while Chris Hay and Josh Freestone made useful contributions with two wickets apiece.
South’s first innings got off to an unfortunate start with opener Mackenzie Barker forced to retire hurt following a knock to the thumb.
Sean Harris and Alec Smith then pushed the score along to 38 before the fall of the first wicket, which sparked a run-on of dismissals.
With a spell of 4-31 from Justin Reeves inspiring the bowling attack, South lost 8-50 to reach 8-88 at the end of play, with Mark Nutting and the returning Mackenzie Barker still unbeaten.
Mowbray captain John Le Fevre said his team would be looking to secure first innings points next Saturday but was wary South had two dangerous batsman at the crease.
‘‘Early on we didn’t bowl loosely but we gave them a few four-balls, I think they hit maybe 10 boundaries in their first 60 runs so after we were able to tighten up on that we certainly put a lot of pressure on them,’’ he said.
‘‘That was led by Justin Reeves who bowled beautiful stump-to-stump line and length so we’ll be looking for him and Fletcher Seymour to pile on a bit more pressure next week and hopefully we can get the couple of wickets required.’’
Le Fevre said he was disappointed not to make more than 144 in the first innings but acknowledged his batsman were put under pressure by some tight bowling from the opposition.
RIVERSIDE registered a huge first innings lead in its clash with George Town at Windsor Park thanks to big scores from Patrick Mackrell and Peter New.
Set a target of 72, Riverside passed the total for the loss of just one wicket and went on to compile 5-399, securing valuable first innings points.
Mackrell batted for most of the day to finish on an unbeaten 146 and shared in a 133-run stand with New, who fell just short of a maiden first grade century.
The wicketkeeper then put on another century stand with Nick Garwood (53) before being run out for 84.
Darcy Leahy picked up two wickets for George Town while Leigh Barrett finished with a wicket and a run-out.
Earlier, Marshall Pooley was the standout contributor with the bat for the visitors, making 34 at the top of the order.
Riverside captain Alex Saunders said he was pleased his players made the most of a good batting wicket to put themselves into a winning position.
‘‘Patty Mackrell ended up on 146 so great innings by him, he just put the bad balls away and it’s good for most of the guys to get some time in the middle because we haven’t been playing that well for the last month.
‘‘All those points are going to come in handy but we definitely want to make sure we get that win so hopefully it doesn’t rain or anything next weekend.’’
WESTBURY took first-day honours in their clash with Launceston at the NTCA Ground.
Shamrocks opener Sean Stevenson did the damage early on, scoring 10 boundaries in a career-high 108 which included century partnerships with Dane Anderson (76) and Kieren Hume (61).
After reaching a commanding 2-260, three quick wickets to Tom Gray saw Westbury lose four wickets for as many runs before eventually declaring on 6-301.
Launceston had only three overs to see out before the end of play but managed to lose three top-order wickets, with Jono Chapman recording 3-4 off just two overs.
The home side will resume its innings next week on 3-13 with Phillip Fulton and Rowan Smith at the crease.
STARS WITH BAT, BALL
BEST WITH THE BAT
Patrick Mackrell (Riverside) 146 no
Sean Stevenson (Westbury) 108
Peter New (Riverside) 84
Dane Anderson (Westbury) 76
BEST WITH THE BALL
Jack Young (South Lton) 5-46
Justin Reeves (Mowbray) 4-31
Jono Chapman (Westbury) 3-4
Alex Saunders (Riverside) 3-23