Pine Lodge digs in, but Old Students get off to unblemished start in Haisman Shield clash

Time.

And for much of day one at Lemnos Recreation Reserve, the home side looked determined to use it.

Pine Lodge accrued a total of 181 off 64 overs, and though Old Students have started strongly at 0-33 at stumps, Waters is quietly optimistic about his side’s fortunes.

“It was a good start; we were 4-140 odd so we were thinking we were going okay there and then we had a bit of a middle order collapse,” he said.

“We got to 181 - something to defend - which is great so we’ve just got to bowl well next week now.

“They still need 150, so we’re in a game I think.”

Sent in to bat, Pine Lodge approached the afternoon like a side willing to grind its way into the game, and the performance of opener Liam Trevaskis became the spine of the innings.

The right-hander crawled, prodded and nudged his way through 156 balls for a gritty 65, embracing the anchor role that Pine Lodge has typically relied on import Dylan Hardy playing.

Hardy went for single digits, as did Ryan Kearney and Xavier Waters, and with the Lodgers teetering at 4-64, Old Students had a vice grip on the hosts.

However, Trevaskis’ platform allowed the innings to breathe just long enough for middle-order hitter Darshana Prasad Loku Hettige to inject some life into it, smacking a quick fire 47.

“It was really good from Liam, he was obviously grinding away,” Waters said.

“It was a typical opening batter’s role; I think he faced 150 balls or thereabouts.

“And then obviously Darshana, he scores pretty quick so that was a good little combo there and that sort of gave us a chance.”

For a moment, at 4-140, Pine Lodge looked as if it had found the blueprint.

But two-day cricket rewards patience, and Old Students bowled with precisely that.

Once the fifth wicket fell, Pine Lodge’s platform cracked quickly as the innings folded for 181 with the hosts losing 6-32.

Students seamer James Meek was relentless, claiming 4-42, building pressure while support came via Callan McCabe and Liam Callegari, who chipped away with two wickets apiece.

In reply, Students approached the chase with steady heads.

Sam O’Brien (20 not out) and Callan McCabe (13 not out) guided the visitors to 0-33 at stumps, reducing the target to 149 heading into next Saturday.

Despite the deficit, Waters believes the two-day format will suit his side’s rhythm and personnel.

“We’ve got a few spinners and young Dylan Hardy has obviously had a really good start to the year ... he missed out yesterday but he’s scored 260 runs before the two dayers,” he said.

“He was a little bit unlucky yesterday - it was a ripping catch in close that got him - but I think he’ll come into the two dayers in his own.”