The newly-promoted former B-grade club has had a disappointing start to life at the top level, albeit with bright sparks of potential scattered among its nine matches.
Halfway through round 10 of Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield, Pine Lodge is in a prime position to claim its first scalp of the season against Shepparton Youth Club United.
Despite a bowling onslaught from opposing captain Sam Nash who took 7-30, Pine Lodge pushed through and recorded its highest team total of the season.
The Lodgers have struggled with the bat this summer and have lent on their talented bowling roster to keep them competitive.
However, last Saturday Pine Lodge posted a tall tally of 195 against United at Lemnos Recreation Reserve, thanks in large to the efforts of Darshana Prasad Loku Hettige who struck 79 runs from 94 balls.
After the change of innings and with some runs finally available to back up their bowlers, the Lodgers’ attack successfully put United on the backfoot late.
In the dying stages of day one, two bowling changes brought about a pair of wickets which gave the Lodgers ascendancy over the contest at home.
Cooper Adkins dismissed night-watchman Connor Green in the penultimate over before Ryan Kearney bowled opener Steven Tate on the third last ball before stumps.
The late mini-collapse left United on 3-30 walking back to the sheds.
Pine Lodge captain Travis Waters said his side was feeling good heading into the second day’s play on Saturday.
“We have got ourselves in a couple of decent positions this year and haven’t capitalised,” Waters said.
“We just have to make sure we do everything right.
“It’s the highest score we have made for the year as well, so that is a positive, we will just have to see if we can defend it.”
Despite the excitement brewing around Lemnos Recreation Reserve about a maiden win for the summer, Waters is wary of United’s batting power with the likes of Rehan Bari, Seb Menzhausen and Nash to come.
Waters said he was happy his batters had given the bowlers some breathing room to go for the victory.
“It definitely helps (having runs on the board),” he said.
“It’s probably about 50-60 more runs than we have scored this year.
“At the same time, Rehan Bari has just come to the crease and we know he is one of the premier bats in the comp.
“It’s important that we bowl and field well on Saturday and if we get an early wicket then that should give us a bit of confidence.”
With the light at the end of the tunnel in the form of a victory well and truly in Waters’ view, the captain said he planned to be calculated instead of brazen on Saturday.
“I think we will keep it measured early on,” he said.
“They are 3-30 chasing 160 on Saturday and Lemnos is not the biggest ground in the comp.
“For us, it will be about us trying to get our first win of the (season).
“If we can get a win or two to end the season, it will give us a great stepping stone going into our second year of A-grade.”
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