An undefeated 158 by second drop batsman Jake Doran has put the Fairfield Liverpool Lions in an impregnable position after the first day’s play against Gordon on Saturday.
Doran combined with Jeremy Cashman for a 176-run partnership for the fifth wicket, which not only steadied the ship but set the Lions on course for at least a first innings victory over the home side.
The Lions won the toss for this Sydney Grade cricket round four clash at Chatswood Oval and wisely chose to bat first.
But the loss of steady wickets, at 81, 110, 150 and 156, threatened to pull the rug from under the Lions.
But then Cashman joined Doran and they set about giving the Lions the foundation they needed to ensure they get at least the six points when the game resumes next Saturday.
Cashman departed after reaching 56, but by then he had played a big role in saving the day for the Lions.
Earlier, Dean Attard was the first to lose his wicket when he was dismissed for 42 and the total was on 81.
Next to go was Anthony Clark, who was dismissed having made just 11 and the tally was 2 for 110.
The Lions reached 150 before losing their next wicket, that of opener Wendel Delpechitra, who had compiled 58 runs.
Six runs later Mitchell Williams fell for just 6, and the Lions looked like they had the wobbles.
But before Gordon had a chance to celebrate, Doran combined with Cashman for the partnership of the day.
At stumps, the Lions had reached 9 for 386, so it will be up to their bowlers to claim the 10 Gordon wickets for the first innings point. An outright won’t be out of the question, but time is aways the enemy in these two day matches.
