Old Carey are lurking as teams 5-8 equal on 24pts.
Murky, damp January day one makes Dunstan race for finals even more intriguing
At the Gramlick Oval, the defending champs Old Carey racked up an impressive 5/305 thanks to an epic opening stand betwen Luke Sharrock (65) and Rahul Khera (149*). Khera was in ominious form as the Heathmont bowlers (albeit in slippery conditions) stuggled with their lines and lengths against him. On a deck that is normally hard to score big totals, Heathmont will have their work cut out next weekend.
At Macleay Park, North Balwyn's skipper Nitesh Patel (80) ensured his side have a total to defend against Bulleen. With James Binney back for the home side, Bulleen will be forced to work hard if they want to stay in the mix. They will be chasing 206.
An interesting one to watch next week is the match between Glen Iris and Mont Albert. The home side are all over Mont Albert - the rain-shortened day one saw Mont Albert 8/164 - Glen Iris attack enjoyed the murky conditions. David Carman (4/44), Andrew Stolzenburg (3/38)
Back foot MUSCLE
Got UNDER it
Leading from the FRONT
Round 9
Round 9
Last Saturday Heathmont welcomed back their skipper Dylan Howard after a long layoff due to injury to score an upset win against North Balwyn in a one run thriller at home. Defending their modest 177, the Heathmont bowling attack had North Balwyn reeling at 6/46 with a win all but assured. But a superb 76* by Xavier Bateman, with support from the lower order (Luck Stacker 24 and Alex Smith (19) saw the match come down to the final ball. With three to win, the final pair could only scramble a bye.
In another tight Round 9 match, East Doncaster scored a critical home win agains Glen Iris. It took all the experience of East Doncaster skipper Peter Dickson (47* from 90) with support from Kyle Hoath (15*) to ovehaul the Glen Iris' 137. Glen Iris' Nick Stone was impressive again with his 3/27. Old Carey 1/109, anchored by Matt Knox's 61*, cruised past a disappointing 104 set by Bulleen, while Mont Albert's James Guley (50*) and Charlie Waite (40) made short work of Canterbury's under par 129.
Hard RUNS
