THE opening day of round three of the Knox Tavern Cup saw the Lysterfield Beavers claw their way back from what was looking like a bad day at the office when St John's Tecoma had them reeling at 5-37 at Talaskia Reserve.

The combination of Marc Hardy and Adrian Piccioli snared the first five wickets cheaply, with Piccioli dropping a difficult return catch off Forster-Jennings while on a hat-trick.

Matt Dempsey, returning from playing in Ireland, must have found a four-leaf clover as he steered Lysterfield to an imposing 9-291 at stumps.

It must be said that he had his fair share of luck, however, with strong support from the tail.

The Saints may have been batted out of the game.

Johnson Park dropped Upper Gully batsman Dave Goodger before he had troubled the scorers and he subsequently made them pay dearly, ending the day on 155 not out in the Kings' total of 274.

For the Sharks, Craig Wenham had outstanding figures of 8-76.

Opener Johnathon Levell (109) dominated Belgrave's innings of 158 against a determined Rowville.

Medium-pace bowler Mark Oudshoorn collected his best figures in senior cricket with 7-46. Rowville at 3-45 in reply is not over the line yet.

Ferntree Gully smashed 377 against The Basin's attack with some fine hitting from Luke Bowyer (179no). The Gully will be undefeated after three rounds, proving a few critics wrong.

Upwey (194) struggled against Mt Gate at HVJones Reserve mainly due to the effort of Sri Lanka's youngest-ever test debutant, Sangeeva Weerasinge, who claimed 5-65 from 26 overs.

Brenton Hurst showed form with 61. At stumps, the Gators were 14 for no loss and should get the points.

Monbulk was dismissed in the final over for 202 on the back of Jason Fraser, who was run out for 75 after taking on Eildon Park fieldsman Chris James. Steve Pimm was the standout bowler for the Panthers with 5-52 from his 27 overs, and one feels that the Hawks have not made enough.