Ryan took 7-33 from 11.5 overs as the Bulls routed the Cats for just 83 late on day one of their Grassmere Cricket Association match at Hawkesdale.

The spell came after Purnim made a modest 128, having won the toss and batted. The total seemed below par before Ryan came to the rescue.

In all, 20 wickets fell for 223 from 70.3 overs. 

Purnim will resume its second dig on 0-12, although not out batsman Aaron Peterson is unavailable this Saturday.

Purnim skipper Greg Bull said he was impressed with Ryan, who played his juniors at the club before heading to Perth and also England.

“His first four or five overs were good without being great, even he admitted he’s probably bowled better spells,” he said.

“But his wicket-taking balls were as good as you’d get. 

‘‘He clean bowled five blokes and knocked two stumps out of the ground on each occasion.”

Bull said Purnim joked about dismissing Hawkesdale in quick time, aware unavailable Cats captain Josh Julius would return to the side this weekend.

“We said we’ve got 24 overs and nine wickets to get,” he said. 

‘‘After 15 overs they were two down and might’ve lost the last seven wickets in nine overs.

“It was a big thing to get that last wicket on Saturday and take out of the equation Josh batting next week and the weather.”

Purnim taking the points meant Ryan got the credit, but Hawkesdale paceman James North was also at his destructive best.

North was the catalyst in the Bulls’ collapse, taking 5-28 from 19.4 overs in his third match for the season.

Of the batsmen, Dallis Armistead was Purnim’s best with 35 while North made 41 for Hawkesdale. 

They were the only batsmen to pass 20 on either side.

Bull said Purnim wanted to avoid an “embarassing” outright defeat before considering whether to chase an outright victory.

“It’s a good chance for a few blokes who might not have batted this year,” he said.

‘‘If they get the chance, hopefully they don’t throw their wicket away.

“Five or 10 overs batting in the middle on game day is worth twice as much time in the nets. 

‘‘Hopefully our boys use that.”

Saturday marked day one of round 11 of the Grassmere Cricket Association A grade season.

In other matches, hard-hitting batsman Chris Bant has put Panmure in a commanding position against ladder-leader Yambuk at Yambuk.

Bant made 138 opening the batting to lay the foundation of the Bulldogs’ 287. 

Tom Wright posted 40 and Kelvin Evans reached 37.

Jason Alberts, 5-89, and Dan Oakley, 3-101, shouldered the bulk of the bowling responsibilities for the Buks, who are 1-32 in reply.

Killarney will push for outright points when play resumes in its clash against Mailors Flat at Winslow.

The Jets were all out for 46 after being sent in, with Daniel Jones and Brayden Buchanan taking four wickets each.

The Crabs rushed to 4-105 before declaring, thanks to an unbeaten 51 from Joel Henry. 

The Jets are 1-50 in their second dig.

And Grassmere took the honours on day one of its match against Wangoom at Purnim. 

The Meerkats are 1-20 in pursuit of the Roosters’ 138.

Mick Malady, 4-31, and Tim Keogh, 3-22, were the best for Grassmere while Jarrod King, 39, and Nick Kermond, 35, held their own for Wangoom.

afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au