Eastern Suburbs' bowlers struck back late to leave their game against Thornton Thunder evenly poised at the end of day one at King Edward Park.
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Thornton were 5/113 at stumps after dismissing the Griffins for 159.
Griffins paceman Lucas Sargent toiled hard and was finally rewarded for some excellent bowling claiming three wickets including the prized wicket of Thornton skipper Jake Moore for 46.
Sargent made the initial break-through dismissing opener Blake Walmsley for one with the score on 11.
Jonathan Gabriel and Moore advanced the score smartly to 59, when spinner Sean Gibson was introduced into the attack and bowled Gabriel first ball for 29.
Dan Willis was next to go caught behind by Jesse Budden for 20 off the bowling of Sargent with the score on 98.
Trent Park followed up quick after bowling Chris Archer for four and Sargent put a final mark on the day-one fightback dismissing Moore by giving keeper Budden his second catch.
Earlier Thornton spinner Dan Willis captured 4-45 and Chris Archer did the damage with the ball as Easts failed again to post a 200-plus score.
With both teams showing vulnerability in tight chases in recent weeks, it is hard to predict a winner but with Pommy Gabriel still to bat Thornton must be favoured.
Kurri Weston hold upper hand
A superb late spell by teenage paceman Jack Sylvester has put Kurri Weston in the boxseat against Port Stephens at the end of day one of their two-day match at Kurri Central.
Port Stephens would have been pleased to dismiss the Warriors for 213 in the 62nd over but they undid their hard work crashing to 5/48 at the close of play.
Sylvester was the chief destroyer finishing with 3/16 off three overs, with new-ball partner Alex Seamer picking up 1-17 and Isaac Barry grabbing 1-9 off three overs.
Kurri Weston will be disappointed that they didn’t take full advantage to several good starts by batsman.
Skipper Josh Tuckwell made 43 at the top of the innings going first in an opening stand of 64 with Casey Capper (30).
Barry hits four fours and a six in a quick-fire 25 and Tyler Power top scored with 46 not out.
Robins Oval washed out
Play was not possible on day one of the match between top-side City United and third-placed Raymond Terrace with the Robins Oval centre square to wet for play.
Ladder:
- City United 30
- Kurri Weston 21
- Raymond Terrace 21
- Western Suburbs 20
- Northern Suburbs 20
- Thornton 11
- Port Stephens 10
- Eastern Suburbs 4