Nathan Murphy and Jake McKinnon have rescued Warrnambool and District Cricket Association from a precarious position at Melbourne Country Week.
NATHAN Murphy and Jake McKinnon have rescued Warrnambool and District Cricket Association from a precarious position at Melbourne Country Week.
Murphy and McKinnon each made unbeaten half-centuries to lift WDCA to 5-236 off 50 overs in its MCW division two match against Hamilton and District.
Brierly-Christ Church's Murphy posted 59 not out while Woodford's McKinnon made 53 not out.
The pair came together with WDCA in trouble at 5-133 but put on 103 runs off the final 16 overs at Werribee's Chirnside Park.
Dennington's Dustin Drew made 53 opening the batting and Nestles' Cam Williams made 25.
Other runs came from Ben Dobson (West Warrnambool), who made 17 and captain Brett Eldridge (Nestles), who reached 16.
The pick of the Hamilton and District bowlers were Corey Pearson (2-39 off nine) and Sam Kerber (1-24 off 10).
South West Cricket faces a testing task to win its day-three provincial match against Sale-Maffra at Dandenong's Shepley Oval.
Big hitting from Mortlake's Todd Lamont helped SWC reach 9-200 from its 50 overs after it was 6-115 off 34 overs.
Lamont top-scored with 45, Pomborneit's Castle made 30, Terang's Ben Grinter reached 29 and Mortlake's Josh Barr posted 28.
Sale-Maffra has made 223 and 196 in its two matches and was one of two unbeaten teams in provincial grade after two days.