A sensational team bowling performance has put Weston Creek Molonglo in the driver's seat of their ACT Premier Cricket Douglas Cup semi-final against Eastlake at Stirling Oval.
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Despite losing the toss on what's renowned as a great batting deck, Creek's bowlers made early inroads into the Eastlake batting line-up to dismiss the visitors for just 128 in their first innings on Saturday.
Creek will resume on the second day of the three-day game on Sunday at 0-37 needing just another 92 runs with all 10 wickets in hand to take the first-innings lead.
Djali Bloomfield picked up 3-47 including the key wicket of Eastlake captain Michael Spaseski for 22, while Mac Wright (2-3), Harry Medhurst (2-19) and Sam Taylor (2-23) shared in the spoils.
"We back ourselves to chase anything on that wicket, but anything under 300 is a good job at Stirling," Creek captain Jono Dean said.
"Anything can happen, it's semi-final cricket.
"We need to score another 90 tomorrow then we'll try and bat for as long as we can.
"It'll be a good challenge for us."
Eastlake never recovered after slumping to 4-48, Ashley Meek giving the score some respectability with an unbeaten 33 off 30 balls.
Taylor continued his impressive first season with Creek going for less than two runs an over to go with his two wickets.
The former Queanbeyan captain almost got Creek home in the Twenty20 final with some amazing late hitting and made his ACT Comets debut this season.
"I think the world of the bloke and he's one of the first picked in my side any day of the week," Dean said.
"He's a genuine good fella, he's great around the group and he's improved his skills a lot this year.
"He's been massive for us, and hopefully we can get a win this week and he can take that momentum into the grand final."
Adelaide Strikers opener Dean has decided to push himself down the batting order in the two-day games for Creek this season to give other players a chance.
"I've made a conscious effort with the red ball to bat through the middle order," Dean said.
"It gives guys an opportunity, like Corey Ryan and Sam Taylor and Mac Wright to bat in the top six throughout the year.
"I'm happy to play that role with the red ball and it frees those guys at the top."
There was no play in the other semi-final between Wests/UC and North Canberra Gungahlin at Kippax Oval due to a wet outfield.
ACT Premier Cricket: Douglas Cup semi-finals: Eastlake 128 v Weston Creek Molonglo 0-37 at Stirling Oval. Wests/UC v North Canberra Gungahlin at Kippax Oval was washed out. Play resumes Sunday at 10.30am
