Playing against the Merimbula Knights, the Bulls took the crease first and opted for a very defensive tactic. 

Merimbula’s opening bowlers Adam Daley and Luke Ryan were under the pump to secure wickets, but Bega settled into a blocking rhythm. 

It soon became apparent the opening batsmen of Cody Hazelgrove-Danvers and Sean Lambert were aiming to wear the bowlers out. 

However, Hazelgrove-Danvers was startled by a bowl from Daley that cleaned up his stumps and had him back to the sheds on four. 

Sam Hodder joined Lambert at the crease and the pace picked up, but it wasn’t all fun and games for the Bulls. 

Lambert was bowled for 14 runs, while Hodder kept working through the attack. 

As the Knights clued on to Bega’s plan steady wickets began to fall, but the Bulls tactics had them gaining solid runs as well. 

Hodder had the top-scoring knock of 58 runs which put the Bulls in good stead before he was caught by Brayden McDonald. 

The Bulls’ middle order struggled a little with Kel Evans getting caught on nine by Ray Fisher. 

Brad Moon was then caught by Fisher as well for eight runs.  

However, a tremendous scoring partnership between captain Dave Allen and Alec Watson swiftly got things back on track. 

Allen added 22 runs to the total and Watson scored 49 before both batsmen were dismissed lbw. 

Young Jack Allen also gave the Bulls tail end a wiggle with 14 runs to secure a solid total for Bega/Angledale’s first innings. 

The Bulls came away with 198 runs in spite of Merimbula’s best efforts. 

The Knights’ best was again Wade Edmed claiming five wickets for the home side. 

Daley and McDonald shared the other wickets, claiming two each.

Bega/Angledale’s marathon stint of 62 overs at the crease left the Knights very little time to bat and will play a big role heading to the second innings on the weekend. 

Merimbula’s star batsmen Dylan Jordan opened proceedings, but things were slow-going for the Knights. 

After 13 overs no wickets were claimed, but the Knights weren’t flying away with runs either. 

Dylan Jordan was on 17  runs and fellow opener Lincoln Rixon-Petty was on five at stumps. 

The Knights now have the mammoth task of overcoming Bega/Angledale’s score before defending against a second dig from the Bulls. 

The second innings will see play resume on Saturday at Berrambool Oval, Merimbula at 1pm.