An unbeaten century by Leigh Wilson ignited Sunshine Druids the first day of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association north A1 grand final against Seddon at Hogans Road Oval.
Wilson was 112 not out at stumps after a rain-interrupted first day of four to lead Druids to solid foundations of 4/162 after 72 overs.
Druids captain Jared Andrews said he had seldom seen a more accomplished and important innings by Wilson.
“Definitely the best I’ve seen him bat and I’ve been playing cricket with him for six or seven years,” Andrews told the Weekly.
“I hope after the four days we look back at it and we say he dug in and that was the difference.”
Seddon’s decision to continually pepper Wilson with short balls surprised Andrews.
Wilson punished the short balls on both sides of the wicket but was watchful of the good deliveries.
“I’ve played cricket with Leigh long enough to know you don’t bowl short to him because that can actually get him going,” Andrews said.
“He ground his way to his first 10 or 20. Then they tried the short stuff and he kept putting them away. When he’s hitting the ball clean playing with the cross bat, you know he’s in good form.”
The Druids batted on into day two with Wilson and John Rudd at the crease.
In the west B1 grand final, Sunshine United limped to 7/130 against Sunshine Heights before rain halted play at Walter Street Reserve.
Indika Dharmawardane continued his hot form with a top score of 39 on a tough day for batting and Henry Popinski was 32 not out.
In the WDCA A turf grand final, West Newport made a confident start against Grand United with 5/184 at stumps on day one.
