By STEVE BROWN
UPWEY Tecoma received a quick reality check when the side journeyed to Eildon Park to be greeted by the best opening batting combination in the competition.
Batting first, Eildon Park’s Ben and Cody Morris took command and, after two hours of play, were no wicket for 163 and heading for a big one.
At stumps, the Panthers finished with 7/327 with Ben contributing 121, Cody 74 and John Doak 48 in a great team performance.
Cody Morris became the first player this season to reach over 500 runs from just nine appearances.
Medium-pacer, Steve Moore was the best with the ball on a tough day with 3/44 as the Tigers have a huge task next week.
Monbulk batted all day at Kings Park against Upper Gully for 9/192 with Aaron Powell holding the innings together with an unbeaten 60, and ably supported by Daniel Clark with 43.
Patrick McKenna and Robbie Birnie took three wickets apiece in a must-win game for both sides.
Bottom side Ferntree Gully took it up to third-placed Johnson Park as the Blues posted 212 at Fairpark Reserve.
Robbie Bartlett top scored with 50 as he combined with Ryan Handley and Josh Henry to build what could be a winning total.
Off-spinner Steve Devenish finished with impressive figures of 6/53, but the Sharks had to face the music for a few overs before the close of play and lost 2/9 in the process.
Knoxfield only managed 169 at home to Belgrave as keeper Jayden Raab (36) and Matt Train (30), got starts but couldn’t capitalise.
For Belgrave, Luke Manion had the best figures with 3/25.
Although the Knights have an under par score, their bowling attack spearheaded by Scott McKenzie may get the job done.
Knox Gardens re-arranged their top order against pace setters, The Basin and took first option of the wicket to register a credible 9/206.
Mitch Gregory made sure the Falcons occupied the crease all day with 54 while skipper Steve Alderton remained 33 not out.
Danny Rundle and Scott Vozzo did the bulk of the bowling taking 3/50 and 3/70 respectively.
The Bears will be keen to get back on the winners list in what will be a tough game.
Scores (Round 11)
Reeves Shield
Knoxfield 169 (Raab 36, Train 30, Carnell 3/52, Manion 3/25) vs Belgrave Monbulk 9/192 (Clark 43, Powell 60no, McKenna 3/27, Birnie 3/48) vs Upper Gully Ferntree Gully 212 (Bartlett 50, Henry 47, Handley 37, S. Devenish 6/53) vs Johnson Park 2/9 Eildon Park 7/327 (B. Morris 121, C. Morris 74, Doak 48, Hicks 34, Moore 3/44, Wood 3/87) vs Upwey Tecoma.
Knox Gardens 9/206 (Flintoff 31, Gregory 54, Alderton 33no, Vozzo 3/71 Rundle 3/50) vs The Basin Decoite Shield Footballers 216 (Rawlings 59, Inglis 3/49) vs Lysterfield St Johns Tecoma 238 (Palandri 73, Smith 64, Matthews 30no, Kumar 3/43, Sidhu 3/39) vs Knox City South Belgrave 237 (McDermott 82, Sutherland 44, Hill 4/59, Searle 4/39) vs Rowville 0/34 Auravale 210 (Morrison 31, Quinlan 45, Phillips 41, Bunting 7/32) vs Mt Gate.
Division 3
Belgrave 84 (Evans 4/15, Sundaresh 3/21) vs Knoxfield 1/104 (Sundaresh 48no). Upper Gully 3/160 declared (Beyer 88, Irvine-Dejong 37) vs Monbulk 64 (Goodger 6/19, Oliver 4/24) and 0/59 (Creed 40no). Johnson Park 200 (Rambaldo 51, Dunstone 37, A.Catalano 3/34) vs Ferntree Gully 0/35 Eildon Park 7/410 (Smyth 168, Evans 79, R. Hicks 63, Waldron 42) vs Upwey Tecoma.
Division 4
St Johns Tecoma 115 (Carlisle 34, Chaplin 4/21) vs Knox Boronia Churches 192 (White 61, Banbury 44, Lincoln 3/49, Harley 3/23) Rowville 9/236 (Sidhu 76, Otten 3/52) vs South Belgrave Footballers 44 vs Lysterfield 6/306 (Ando 104, Finch 110no) Mt Gate 8/352 (Adams 119no, Burridge 65, Harris 52 Wimalaratna 42no, Croxford 34, Dodd 3/69) vs Auravale.
