ONLY one day remains in the Hamilton and District Cricket Association A grade grand final, with both Tyrendarra and St Andrew’s having legitimate claims to the Dundas Cup after the first two days.

After play ended on Sunday evening, St Andrew’s had batted first and posted 300 in its first innings with Tyrendarra reaching stumps on day two with 5-157 on the board.

The surface at Monivae Turf has favoured the batsmen and the outfield has sped the ball to the fence so far, as the players got full value for their shots.

The bowlers have gained reward if they put the ball in good areas and Tyrendarra all-rounder, Ben Menzel, returned a ‘Michelle Pfeiffer’ with 5-68 from 26.5 overs, before coming out and scoring 57 with the bat to rescue the minor premiers after a horror start of 3-16.

The captains, Cam Mather (Tyrendarra) and Russell Elton (St Andrew’s), were both asked where the game was at after the first two days.

“On the first day we just had to bowl tight lines early which unfortunately we didn’t do,” Mather said.

“We just allowed them one loose ball an over which normally went for four.

“A couple of dropped opportunities and ‘Killy’ (Darren Kilmister) rolling his ankle five mins before the first ball didn’t help.

“I told the team on Sunday morning if we could get them out in 15 overs for under 300, while also going into bat and occupying some overs it would be a good start.

“Losing 3-16 wasn’t in the plan, but Jake (Wilson) and Ben’s (Menzel) partnership has put us in with a chance.

“Going into next Saturday, the longer we bat the better our chances will be, as once you’re established on that wicket it’s a great deck and oval to bat on.”

St Andrew’s skipper, Russell Elton, agreed with Mather when quizzed about the state of the game after the first two days.

“The game is 100 per cent in the balance,” Elton said.

“We got the runs on the board and 300 is a great score, but we know if any team can chase it down, it’s Tyrendarra.

“With the Darras having scored half the required runs and lost half their wickets, it really has set the game up for an amazing day.

“I told the boys the same message on both days; play the cricket that got us to the grand final and bat for a long time and then defend the score with tight bowling and fielding.”

The first hour is vital to the hopes of each team today, with the Darras desperate not to lose a wicket in that period, while St Andrew’s is equally determined to grab at least one wicket, if not two, which would put the Tyrendarra tail end batsmen under immense pressure.

The shoulders of Mather and Sam Wilson are wide and strong, as each carries the hopes of the team upon them when play resumes, with each looking to get through that first hour of play.

Both players are used to batting in the top order, so they are accustomed to facing a newish ball, which Josh Nield and Latham Wishart will have in hand after a week’s rest.

Opportunities will abound for both teams, but the winner will be the one that grabs those opportunities with both hands which should also lead to clutching the Dundas Cup at the end of the game.