Marton builds solid lead in playoff

SALUTE THE TON: John McIlraith raises his bat after making a century on Day 1 of the Porter Hire Premier 1 final on Saturday.PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY

THE PORTER Hire Premier 1 playoff remains delicately poised with the finalists now in the unique position of having six days to think about their 'overnight' position after a good day for the batsman at Victoria Park on Saturday.

Expectations the red ball game could already be in its third innings by the close of day one proved unfounded as Matt Burke Engineering Marton Saracens batted confidently and batted time to post 327 from 87 overs, led by an excellent 103 from their Marist import John McIlraith.

Granted a couple of extra lives from drop catches by St Johns Tech, who also had a couple of Keystone Cops moments on the boundary to give up further runs, McIlraith executed several fine chip shots into gaps during a healthy partnership with captain Dominic Rayner, as they carried the team through to 127-1 at the lunchbreak and then 175-2 when Rayner was bowled by Ross Kinnerley.

Tech clawed their way back into the match with Caleb Greene getting four wickets while Kinnerley picked up a pair, yet Saracens had enough steady partnerships through their order from the likes of Ben Lewis (49) and Josh Trillo (39) to nearly see the day out, putting them in the box seat as they will win the championship in the event of a draw.

However, Tech were not done as during the 13 remaining overs they blasted 83-1 with Nick Harding making a slashing 29 until top edging a Bryant Galpin delivery to Rayner, while veteran Bevan Hunter kept swinging and now has six days to think about raising his half century, being unbeaten on 48 at the close of play in partnership with Calum Coker.

Rayner said after the first over when he saw the mood Harding was in, he put five fielders back to the boundary.

"[Momentum's] still with us, definitely, probably the time thing is on our side.

"They are chasing the win from now on, which puts the pressure on them, not us."

He was pleased the team had adjusted to playing the longer format to make a 300 plus total.

"I said to the guys, 'every over we bat is as good as every run we score', as it takes time from the game.

"It's all up to Tech now, we can only react to what they do."

Although trailing by 244 runs, Tech manager Andrew Lock said ideally they would have to keep batting well enough to declare while still slightly behind to give themselves a chance of bowling Marton out in a day.

"Bearing in mind we got 80-odd in 13 overs, we probably were more positive than they are.

"We were aiming for around about 100 for the end of the day - a little short of that."

He was pleased with Tech's fight back in the latter part of the afternoon.

"The last 20 overs, new ball, we got a couple of them.

"Once McIlraith was out it was a little bit easier, although he should have been out sooner."

Day two will resume on Saturday.