Some lower-order hitting saved Kealba-Green Gully from an embarrassing day in the North West Metro Cricket Association’s George Luscombe Shield on Saturday.
Playing fellow final-four aspirant Buckley Park, Kealba was in trouble early when Andrew Lambropoulos was bowled for eight before opener Daniel Hewitt and Evan Long began rebuilding the innings with a 41-run stand.
Hewitt’s wicket triggered a collapse of 7-53 and Kealba found itself reeling at 8-105.
But number eight Danny Viani and number 10 Andrew Webb frustrated Buckley Park with an important stand of 73 before Viani was bowled for 28. Webb followed soon after for 51 as Kealba made 190.
With three overs at Buckley Park, Kealba made the perfect start when Jason Gordon was out for one. Chris Benson (7) and Daniel Moloney (4) will resume at 1-13 on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Sydenham-Hillside’s decision to put Strathmore Heights into bat was vindicated.
Strathmore made 141 and Sydenham is 7-181 and chasing outright victory.
