Premier A Grade – Toongabbie v Moe – Day 1
The Rams electing to bat didn’t pay off early as Jayasinghe (0) was bowled by Laytten Smith & Wheildon 1, was ran out by Keenan Hughes to reduce the hosts to 2/17. Amal Athulathmudali broke the game open in emphatic style, blasting 72 off just 42 balls, including taking Smith for 22 off an over. He was dismissed with the score on 101, just 29 not off his bat, caught behind to Hughes. Both Dunn’s fell to Phoenix either side of Athulathmudali’s dismissal. The last meaningful pairing came from Munasinghe (26) & Shippen (33), adding 44 for the 6th stand. The 6th wicket triggered a 5/40 collapse for the Rams to be dismissed for 204 in 66.3 overs. Hughes, on his first trip back to Toongabbie took 4/64 off 26.3 and got two run outs. Phoenix 2/21 off 9 & Smith 2/76 off 20 also picked up wickets. Jordan Shields 0/27 off 7 & Ritvik 0/4 off 4 were the other bowlers used.
The Lions had to bat 18 overs till stumps. Jesse Pheeney (2 off 26) was the only victim before the end of day’s play. His dismissal meant Rob Blunt (playing Day 2), a typical number 11, wouldn’t start next week’s play at the crease, which could’ve been comical. Rob Phoenix is 30* with Andrew Philip 6* are unbeaten as Moe sit 1/44, needing 161 runs this Saturday.
