Cricket
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A LATE double breakthrough from captain Marc Tucker put Exies into a commanding position on day one of their two-day clash against Leagues Club Panthers at Collina Oval on Saturday.
Tucker removed opener Logan Matheson for five and Ben Leach for a duck to leave the Griffith District Cricket Association ladder leaders 2-22 at stumps.
It was the perfect end to the day for Exies, who reached 177 after winning the toss and electing to bat.
While no player cracked 50, composed efforts from opener Jamie Winkler (33), Grant Volz (36), Jacob Breed (22) and Tucker (35) helped boost the reigning premiers to a competitive total.
Panthers' bowlers toiled hard and shared the wickets. Captain Paul Plummer led the way with 3-41 from 17 overs, while Kierren Williams snared 2-28.
With runs in the bank, Tucker said Exies would push for first innings points on day two.
"It was good getting those two wickets at the end because they were the two blokes that got the runs for Leagues Club the week before," he said.
"Getting them out puts them on the back foot straight away for next week.
"I think we're looking pretty good.
"Hopefully it's not too wet next week and we can have a good crack at them on a dry deck."
Tucker said it was up to his bowlers to back up the good work of Exies' batsmen.
"I thought we did pretty well (at the crease)," he said.
"We didn't lose a lot of wickets at once and built a lot of 20 and 30-run partnerships."
Plummer hopes Panthers can show similar industry on day two but admitted it was a blow to lose Matheson and Leach.
"It was disappointing, but it's always hard when you've got to come in for half an hour at the end," he said.
"But we've got strong batters to come.
"We'll go out next week and give it a good crack."