Park held their nerve in a tense finish to record their fifth win on the bounce on a rare glorious day at Footscray.
Dave Hearn and Dave Brupbacher renewed their opening partnership and it was back to the glory days as they put on 91 for the first wicket. Hearnie was the first to go bowled for an excellent 46 and the first bit of jug avoidance of the day. Christian O'Mahoney was next to go for a flight 15, bowled to leave Park 15 for 2. Bob Harbert departed for a duck bowled, and Park were 118 for 3. Skipper Tim Gannon was in next and hit a couple of fours before being caught and bowled for 21, Park 153 for 4. Dave Brupbacher and Roger Weston went in quick succession, Bru caught and bowled also, for a fine but once again jug avoiding 43, and Rog for a golden duck, and the wheels were coming off Parks innings at 159 for 7. Dave Fletcher saw the total into the Captains required range with a good 19 runs before being bowled. Michael Marshall was bowled for 1, Trev Brupbacher for a duck and Terry Shannon also for a golden but Park were 185 all out, exactly what the skipper ordered.
Locksbottom got off to a good start against Bill Partridge and Roger Weston so the skipper turned to Dave Fletcher and Michael Marshall to make inroads. Mikey got the ball rolling trapping R. Snashall LBW, L'Bottom 64 for 1. Next over he had Kimber caught behind by Bob harbert, 65 for 2. With the last ball of that over he had Trevatt caught and the visitors were 74 for 3. Fletch joined the party having Gupta caught brilliantly by Dave Hearn on the straight boundary for no further run. When Mike had Slater LBW the very next over Locksbottom were 74 for 5 having lost 5 wickets for 10 runs! Mike completed his 5 wicket haul by bowling Kimber leaving the visitors on 100 for 6. Terry Shannon turned his arm over next and immediately had the dangerous Farmer caught brilliantly by Dave Brupbacher at deep square leg, 102 for 7. Wells and Snashall staged a recovery and with 164 on the board, were in danger of snatching victory from the home side. The skippers last throw of the dice was to bring Christian O'Mahoney and himself on to bowl. Christian struck second ball bowling Wells, 164 for 8. Gannon struck third ball to dismiss Mohan caught and bowled (169 for 9) and Christian completed the job next over having A. Snashall caught by Bru. Locksbottom all out for 173, just 12 runs short in a thrilling and as ever friendly game.
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Partridge | 8 | 0 | 44 | 0 |
| Roger Weston | 4 | 1 | 18 | 0 |
| Dave Fletcher | 5 | 1 | 33 | 1 |
| Michael Marshall | 7 | 1 | 28 | 5 |
| Terry Shannon | 6 | 1 | 32 | 1 |
| Christian O'Mahoney | 1.3 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| Tim Gannon | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Good batting from Bru and Hearnie set up a good defendable total, but the MOM has to go to Michael Marshall for a superb burst of bowling that shattered the opposition top order and saw him net a 5 wicket haul.