MELVILLE is chasing a tricky 233 for victory when it resumes its round five Premier Cricket clash with Joondalup at Tompkins Park on Saturday.
Neither side was able to take the upper hand at the end of the first day, with Joondalup managing 232 from just under 70 overs.
New ball pair Mark Turner and Ryan Duffield were the chief destroyers with seven Centurions wickets between them, while Myles Keyt added the other three.
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READ NOWTurner finished with 4-66, while Duffield took 3-36 backing up after a difficult return to Sheffield Shield cricket with WA.
Melville’s pace trio reduced Joondalup to 6-119 before tailender Ty Hopes smashed 39 from 19 balls as part of a 59-run final wicket stand with Brett McGlade.
Melville now faces an awkward run chase and will look to Luke Towers, Tom Scollay and Angus Robson to shoulder the bulk of the work.
A contribution from night watchman Blake Reed would be a welcome bonus.
Play resumes at 11.40am on Saturday.