TORONTO Workers are chasing exactly 200 more runs for victory with six wickets in hand.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That's the equation that will face the Kookaburras when their Newcastle district cricket match resumes against Belmont on Saturday.
On the first day's play, Belmont was dismissed for 234 in the 77th over at Ron Hill Oval.
But the visitors reduced Toronto to 4-35 in a 13-over burst before stumps.
Toronto captain Corey Brown will resume unbeaten on 9.
The skipper admitted his team was "up against it", but said "we're still going to back ourselves".
There was drizzle about when Brown won the toss and sent Belmont in.
"I didn't think that we'd get on straight away. The wicket was firm on top but there was plenty of juice under the surface," he said.
Toronto started strongly enough, having Belmont at 2-35 before captain Marcus Hainsworth (76) and Bailey Newell (41) combined for a 112-run partnership.
"We started off well, but they put on a good partnership," Brown said.
Toronto's effort in the field was a mixed bag.
Brown said his team was sharp in the opening hour, but that intensity waned in the second hour, which proved costly.
"Our first hour was one of our best of the season, but our second hour was probably one our worst," he said.
The Kookaburras missed a chance to dismiss Hainsworth when he had scored about 30.
"Connor Lupton was bowling one of his best spells and he produced a peach which Marcus edged to slip but we couldn't hold onto the chance," Brown said.
Toronto welcomed veteran seamer Ashley Weekes back into the top grade, and he made an immediate impact claiming 4-60 from 19 overs.
"Ash has been playing Masters cricket [over 35s] and he came back to help us out on Saturday," Brown said.
"He's a massive asset and brings a lot of experience.
"He's one of those toiling bowlers who puts it on the spot and has a lot of variations. In his first spell he bowled 12 or 13 overs straight."
Weekes came back at the death to help prevent Belmont from getting away.
Brown said Toronto would attempt to bat time this Saturday, and weather the opening spells from Belmont quicks Daniel Bailey and Jace Lawson.
