By Iain Harley
JOHNSON Park and Eildon Park got a handy boost to their finals prospects in the FTGDCA, completing their Knox Tavern Cup games in a rain-affected round.
Mal Francis (49) and Elliott Hinds (46) saw Johnson Park over the line against Knoxfield at Carrington Park. The Sharks took out the annual Mark Paffett Shield and moved a game and a half clear in second spot on the ladder.
Eildon Park’s strong form with the bat continued with Ben Morris (66) and Shane Cosstick (56) ensuring the Panthers took the points over Lysterfield.
In reply to Lysterfield’s 155, Eildon Park pushed to 3/184 before play stopped. The win allowed the Panthers to slip into fourth spot ahead of Mountain Gate.
Despite posting their best score for the year a registration irregularity saw Rowville hand the points to Upwey with no play scheduled for day 2.
Upper Ferntree Gully were frustrated by the rain in their efforts to dismiss St Johns Tecoma at Talaskia Reserve.
The Kings had a strong hold over the game with Jay Colee snaring 4 wickets to have the Saints 8/128.
Belgrave had a similar day against Mountain Gate with Nick Bole-Brown taking 3/20 to have the ‘Gators reeling at 5/48 before rain stopped play. The Basin and Ferntree Gully also shared the points.
In the Decoite Shield, Footballers easily accounted for Upper Ferntree Gully, Aura Vale had a win over South Belgrave, and Johnson Park took the points over Knoxfield. Upwey, Monbulk, Lysterfield, Knox Gardens, Ferntree Gully and The Basin all walked away with 3 points.
Footballers move to top spot, but three points separate third spot from seventh on the ladder.
Provisional Ladders
(no percentage)
Knox Tavern Cup Decoite Shield
Teams Mtch Teams Mtch
Ferntree Gully 49 Footballers 40
Johnson Park 42 Monbulk 39
Belgrave 33 Lysterfield 33
Eildon Park 30 Knox Gardens 33
Mt Gate 27 Upwey 31
Upwey 24 South Belgrave 30
St Johns Tec 21 Aura Vale 30
Upper FTG 21 Knoxfield 18
Knoxfield 18 Johnson Park 18
Rowville 12 Ferntree Gully 15
The Basin 9 The Basin 9
Lysterfield 6 Upper FTG 0
