Sub-District cricket: Caulfield bowlers run through Malvern at Malvern City Oval

Caulfield is well on top of its great rival Malvern, and Elsternwick and Ormond have run chases as they push for finals appearances.

Caulfield and Malvern have one of the great rivalries in Sub-District cricket and their matches have produced some enthralling encounters down the years, particularly in finals.

But Saturday’s clash at the Malvern City Oval was largely one-sided as the top-of-the-ladder Fielders dominated the out-of-the-running Roosters.

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At 1-29 in reply to 137, the Reg Rees Shield looks headed for Caulfield Park.

Malvern has battled for runs this season and it did so again on Saturday after opting to bat.

Caulfield struck early through Lachie Graf, who caught and bowled Will Patterson for 1 and then knocked over Pat McKenna for nine.

Andy King slipped in with the wicket of Randev Pathirana (4) and the hosts were wobbling at 3-15.

Experienced pair Luke Walker and Glen Parker resisted with a partnership of 41. But Dale Denny claimed the coveted wicket of Walker for 10, caught at first slip, and Jacob Thorne bowled Jeff Davies for a duck to leave the Roosters 5-69.

Parker has had an excellent season for Malvern and when he was dismissed for 66, falling to Thorne, he’d made most of the Roosters’ 94 runs.

Alex Ross contributed a brisk 24 but was caught and bowled by offie Thorne, who collected 4-40 off 20 overs.

Graf took 2-17 off 12 and King 3-9 off 6.2, finishing off the tail.

Ormond’s Nick Oaten lets fly against Yarraville.

Malvern did have some joy late in the day when first-gamer Ben Slack picked up the great Graeme Rummans LBW for 19, Caulfield going in at 1-29.

Thorne is taking nothing for granted.

“There’s still some work to be done, 100-odd runs’’ he said.

“The wicket was a bit up and down, a bit variable to be honest.

“The key is to go out and have a good first hour next week and ice the game.’’

Roosters skipper Walker was left to lament another poor batting effort.

“Their attack is easily the most varied and strongest in the comp and we were just not up for the fight,’’ he said.

“That is the most disappointing thing. We seem incapable of letting the ball go, making the bowlers bowl to us, all the things that should be second nature at this level.”

Walker had some good words for Slack. “(He) is quick when he gets it right. He is keen and what a first wicket for him. He deserves it as he has worked hard in the seconds for his opportunity and here’s hoping he can get a few more poles next week.

“The good thing about our side is that we haven’t dropped our heads. We will be having a real crack next week and if we get Jake (Thorne) early who knows.”

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Elsternwick, three points out of the top six after its victory over Ormond in the rescheduled Round 10 match, dismissed Williamstown for 239 at Point Gellibrand.

At 5-107 Willy had work to do and they prospered through a 106-run partnership from James Cook (66) and Matthew Twentyman (45).

Once Elsty broke their stand they rounded up the tail quickly.

Will Smith (1-44 off 15 overs) bowled well after opening pair Matt Shimell (1-45 off 19 overs) and Andrew McGorian (2-39 off 14), and offie Rizul Chhabra took 4-68 off 21 overs.

Elsty skipper Cam Christiansen said his side was frustrated by the Cook and Twentyman stand but they batted well.

He acknowledged the importance of the run chase.

“We’ve got to win the next two games, so this week is just as vital as the next,’’ Christiansen said.

“We’re confident that if we execute our plans we can get the points. But we really respect Williamstown and we’re going to have to bat really well.’’

Ormond, like Elsternwick three points away from Yarraville, is in a strong position to defeat the Villes, dismissing them for 159 after a star turn from champion paceman Rodney Bird.

The left-armer nabbed 5-44 off 16.3 overs, taking top-order wickets and knocking over the tail.

Bird has 31 wickets this season at 10.1.

“He’s one of the competition’s premier fast bowlers and a captain’s dream,’’ Monders skipper James Wild said of Bird.

“He’ll run through a brick wall for you. He’s been very sore in the last couple of weeks but he’s pushed through that pain barrier to do the right thing for the team. Unbelievable effort.’’

Wild gave a fine display of off-spin bowling, returning 3-32 off 24 overs, with 13 maidens.

“The guys all bowled really well, the best we’ve bowled all year,’’ he said.

“Bowled to a plan, executed well, backed it up in the field. A really good day for us.’’