Cobra star Andy Higgins destroyed BPCA hot favourite Jan Juc’s middle order batting with a brutal five-wicket demolition.
The Sharks were cruising at 3/154 after 36 overs before Collendina blew apart the Jan Juc innings, the visitors lost their last seven wickets for 16 runs and were all out for 170 in 59.5 overs.
Higgins, who finished with 5/48 after his 19 overs and eight maidens, said Jan Juc looked destined for an imposing 300-run plus total at tea on day one of its two-day clash.
“They were poised to make a massive score of around 300,” Higgins said.
“We just backed our plan, to bowl a tight line and length and we came out and executed that plan.”
Collendina coach Corey Walter said it was an outstanding performance from Higgins.
It was Higgins’ second five-wicket haul against Jan Juc in less than a year, he took 5-30 when Collendina eliminated the Sharks from the semi-finals last season.
“He definitely deserved his five wickets, it was a really good spell for us and it obviously changed the game,” Walter said.
Charlie Lamb finished with 2/53 in his first game since Round 4, while Walter put the brakes on with an economic return of 2/7 from 11.5 overs.
Shark batsman Iva Priest (75) top scored in his 200th senior match and shared in a 62-run wicket stand with Jan Juc coach Ben Grinter (20), while Will Pomorin (40) made a handy contribution.
Grinter said it was a disappointing finish after Priest and Pomorin laid the foundations for a big total.
“The middle order collapse wasn’t ideal given we lost 7 for (16) after tea,” Grinter said.
At stumps, Collendina was 0/38 with openers Walter (22) and Cameron Kavaliunas (9) at the crease.
The home side requires a further 133 runs for the win this Saturday with all 10 wickets in hand.
Collendina B Grade is charging towards victory in its two-day clash against Anglesea at Anglesea.
The home was bowled out for only 102 from 51.1 overs with youngster Craig Goodger the standout with 6/26 from 20.1 overs.
Dale Chapman claimed 3/19 from 12 overs.
In reply the Cobras were 3/63 from 21 overs.
Jan Juc ripped the heart out of the Collendina batting line-up as the Cobras were all out for only 87 from 59.5 overs.
Cobra pair David Worn (15) and Xavier Norman (16) both made starts for the home side.
An unbeaten 92 from Matt Davies guided Collendina 1 to a seven-wicket win over Newcomb in D Grade.
Batting first Newcomb made 9/176 from 40 overs.
In reply the Cobras finished at 3/178 from 35 overs with Davies sharing in 137-run stand with Mark Fletcher (64).
Collendina 2 defeated Anglesea by 52 runs in the D Grade one-day clash at Anglesea.
Batting first, Collendina was all out for 141 from 33.2 overs, while Anglesea was bundled out for only 89 in 23.3 overs.
