JOE Leach helped his side North Canberra Gungahlin build a substantial total on the opening day of their Australian Capital Territory first grade match away to Weston Creek Molonglo.

The Worcestershire all-rounder made 34 as the Northies closed on 267-6 from 78 overs.

Leach came in at 79-2 and shared in a stand of 58 with opener A Vala (72). He was eventually fourth out at 145 after hitting one six and four fours in his 46-ball innings.

Joe Clarke picked up two catches but it was a day of leather chasing for his club, South Perth, on the second day of their Western Australian Cricket Association first grade clash with leaders Joondalup.

The Worcestershire wicketkeeper had hit a splendid 140 of his side’s total of 215 on the opening day.

But Joondalup, who resumed on 50-1, made light of this target to claim first innings points thanks to a fourth wicket stand of 251 between J Inglis (145 off 154 balls) and C Hincliffe (153 off 273 balls).

Clarke eventually caught the latter when he was sixth out with the total on 417 after hitting 16 fours. Joondalup closed on 481-9.

Ed Barnard may have a crucial role to play with the ball if Queanbeyan District are to secure first innings points on the second day of their Australian Capital Territory first grade match away to Tuggeranong Valley next weekend.

The game is evenly poised after the opening day with Queanbeyan dismissed for 172 in 51 overs and Tuggeranong 39-3 of 17.2 overs by the close.

Barnard was dismissed for 10 batting at number five after Queanbeyan were put into bat and was fourth out with 82 runs on the board.

He is his side’s leading wicket-taker in the competition with 22 victims at 21.23 runs apiece.

Barnard did not take a wicket in the final session of the opening day and bowled 4.2 overs for 10 runs including two maidens after sharing the new ball. But he will be a key part of the attack as they look to push for points when the game resumes next weekend.

County opener Richard Oliver’s side, Geelong City, suffered a wash-out when they visited Leopold for the first day of their two day fixture in the Geelong Cricket Association Division One.

Geelong skipper Oliver has taken his side to the brink of qualifying for the knockout stages.

The top six go through and the Sharks are presently in third spot behind leaders East Belmont and North Geelong.

Geelong will hope for better luck with the elements on the second day.

Another sizeable contribution with the bat from Worcestershire wicket-keeper Ben Cox was unable to prevent Greenvale Kangaroos being edged out by 17 runs on day two of their Victorian Premier Cricket Bartercard Men’s Premier Firsts clash away to Monash Tigers.

Cox continued his excellent winter by making 48 as the Kangaroos chased a total of 256 all out made on day one by the Tigers last weekend after they had elected to bat.

He came to the wicket with his side in some trouble at 75-4 and featured in a stand of 65 with skipper James Lidgett.

Cox was fifth out at 140 - two runs short of his sixth half century of the campaign — and he has scored more than 500 runs for the Kangaroos and been a model of consistency.

His dismissal left the game in the balance.

Cox’s County colleague Jack Shantry was next in and was dismissed for seven after picking up two wickets on the opening day.

But Lidgett kept the Kangaroos in the hunt and received good support from the lower order and the tail.

The second new ball was taken at 234-9 and only five more runs were added before Lidgett was last out for 71.

It meant that Monash secured the first innings points.

Ross Whiteley made useful contributions with bat and ball for Prospect CC as 18 wickets fell on the opening day of the South Australian Cricket Association ‘A’ grade clash with home side West Torrens.

The Worcestershire all-rounder was one of only three players in his team to score 20 or more as Prospect were dismissed for 126.

Whiteley then claimed a crucial wicket as West Torrens also struggled and reached 123-8 by the close of play.

Prospect had opted to bat and Whiteley opened the innings. He made a patient 22 off 65 balls with three boundaries as Prospect were bowled out in 51.5 overs.