St Kilda pair Josh Manning and Ben Davies hit centuries against Northcote

ST Kilda reached a formidable 5-378 against Northcote after a 249-run partnership from Josh Manning and Ben Davies.

St Kilda century-makers Ben Davies (left) and Josh Manning at stumps. Picture: Michael Beer World of Photography.

As two left-handers went into three figures, St Kilda went well into the ascendancy.

In fact, the Saints finished with the tallest total of day one of Round 5 of Premier Cricket, stacking up 5-378 off 96 overs against Northcote at the St Kilda Cricket Ground (Junction Oval) on Saturday.

A 249-run partnership for the second wicket between Josh Manning and Ben Davies ensured it would be St Kilda’s day after it was sent in.

Both lefties finished with centuries, 137 for Manning and 133 for Davies, as they got the home team’s red-ball season rolling.

Both are flush with form.

It was Manning’s second century in a month — he hit 120 not out against Geelong in Round 2 — and his third in Premier Cricket.

He faced 252 deliveries and put away 19 fours and 2 sixes.

St Kilda’s Ben Davies reached his maiden century in Premier Cricket. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Davies received 233 balls and hit 14 fours and 3 sixes as he reached his maiden century in the First XI.

Scores of 31 and 102 not out in Second Grade had him elevated to the Firsts, and in his three hands since he’s made 86, 83 and 133 — 302 runs at the Graeme Rummans-like average of 100.7.

Saints people might have to start calling him “Rummo’’ soon.

“No,’’ Saints coach Glenn Lalor responded to the suggestion. “He’s got about 9000 runs to catch ‘Rummo’.’’

Opener Erik Laubscher hit 24, and Nic Maddinson (11), Damon Egan (27no), Jon Merlo (20) and Josh Bartlett (14no) hit out in the late overs as the undefeated Saints pinged past 350.

Lalor said the wicket “had a bit of juice in it’’ and the Saints would have bowled had they won the toss.

He said Manning and Davies batted with care early in their partnership and gradually took control of the bowling.

“They were measured, watchful, and set us up really well,’’ he said.

“Start of the day, I would have taken 280, 300. To get shy of 380, super effort.’’

Davies started in the seconds after returning from overseas two weeks before the season.

Lalor called his method “simple but effective’’.

“He knows what he can do and what he can’t do. Knows his game pretty well. He’s quite handy with the ball, too. He ticks a few boxes for us. He’s going really well.’’

He said Manning was taking rewards for a dedicated pre-season.

“He gave up footy to concentrate on cricket, he’s super fit and he’s probably missed one session since we’ve been going. He’s a leader of our club and we’re very happy for him.’’

At Schramms Reserve, seasoned spinner Sean Sturrock hit his first 50 in Premier Cricket to give Melbourne vital runs late in the day against Fitzroy-Doncaster.

Sturrock’s 50 not out came off 70 balls, included 5 fours and 1 six, and lifted the Dees to 9-266 off their 96 overs.

They had been 7-197 when skipper Matt Brown fell for 48, one of Trent Lawford’s four wickets.

No 3 Sam Harper top scored for Melbourne with 62 (off 101 balls, with 10 fours). Blake Thomson (21) and Meyrick Buchanan (10) spent time in the middle, but middled the ball less than they had in the previous round against Casey South Melbourne.

In the end the visitors needed some clean strikes from Sturrock to set the Lions a 250-plus total.

The burly Lawford captured 4-70 off 27 overs for the Lions.