After a two-month absence with a niggling hamstring injury, Weston Creek Molonglo skipper John Rogers was delighted with Creek's performance on his return to the middle last Saturday.
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Creek finished day one of their final round Douglas Cup fixture at 9-329 against Queanbeyan, with Harry Medhurst, Samuel Myburgh and Josh Low-McMahon all posting half-centuries.
Rogers, who notched a handy 47 at Stirling Oval, said all focus will now be on bowling the opposition out, as they look to secure a home final.
Creek, Western District and Tuggeranong Valley are all in the race for the minor premiership.
"I thought it was a pretty steady day on a good wicket, lots of contributions across the board," Rogers said.
"I reckon a few guys would have wanted to have kicked on a bit, but I think the pleasing thing is that everyone was able to contribute and get that time in the middle.
"I haven't done the sums ... But I will just be happy if we could take 10-wickets tomorrow and hopefully secure a home final."
Rogers said he was still feeling the after-effects from the injury he sustained while playing against North Canberra-Gungahlin in January.
"It's [my hamstring] feeling pretty good. But not going to lie, I was probably a little a bit slow off the mark and probably didn't take a few quick singles that I normally would," Rogers said.
"The annoying thing about a hamstring injury is that it doesn't really affect how you are hitting the ball, it's just what you do after like running.
"I have been hitting the ball [in the nets] the whole time I have been injured, so I felt as though the batting hasn't lost too much over the last eight weeks, but it was good to get a few runs."
A win for Rogers' side will end Queanbeyan's final's ambitions, with the Creek skipper not ruling out an early declaration.
"I think I might wait and see what the weather is like in the morning. I would say we won't end up batting for any substantial period of time," he said.
Rogers backed young leg-spinner Blake Faunce to play another important role on day two, as Faunce was unbeaten on 48 at stumps.
"[Blake] had a good day, didn't he? He is a very calm, almost unflappable character in the middle. He definitely brings his own style and attitude to the game which I think is quite refreshing," Rogers said.
"I think he was very pleased with his performance, as were the rest of the boys. He has had a very good season with the ball and with limited opportunities with the bat, but he understands more [opportunities] will come in time.
"I must admit, I haven't watched a lot of cricket while I have been injured, so I am interested to see how everyone is tracking.
"With the bowling group, everyone has contributed at different occasions, with no one person being a stand-out all season. Which is a great sign that all things are ticking along OK."
ACT PREMIER CRICKET ROUND 14:
ANU v Eastlake at ANU North Oval; Ginninderra v North Canberra Gungahlin at Kippax Oval; Weston Creek Molonglo v Queanbeyan at Stirling Oval; Tuggeranong v Western District at Chisholm Oval.
