A CLASSY century for Berry-Shoalhaven Heads' Andrew Wright has put his team in a commanding position against Nowra after day one of their match.
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At the Nowra Showground, the hosts won the toss and sent the visitors to the crease, which suited the Magpies perfectly.
Openers Wright and Dylan Cosgrove got the Magpies off the perfect start, as they reached 95 before the latter was dismissed by Jono Clack for 39.
The runs didn't dry up after this dismissal, as Wright pushed on to make his first century of the season.
He and Aaron McElhinney together added 77 runs before the latter fell for 36, after being caught by Cameron Fernie, off the bowling of Jason Bell.
Wright eventually fell for 110, a knock that included 10 boundaries and two sixes, with the score on 197.
Quick appearances by Dale Lovatt (14 not out), Glenn Brandon (six) and Nathan Thomas (four) saw the Magpies declare at 5/219 after 52.2 overs.
With the ball, Jason Bell was Nowra's best with 3/50, while Jono Clack took 2/17.
In reply, Nowra lost Adam Weller (four) early before settling to be 1/28 at stumps, with Jason Bell (20 not out) and Lewis O'Brien (one not out) at the crease when play resumes on day two.
The lone wicket taker for Berry was Tom Gibbs (1/7).
"Andrew Wright was exceptional on a very slow outfield - batting with great composure and his opening stand with Dylan Cosgrove was backed up by Aaron McElhinney, which set us up nicely," Berry skipper Brandon said.
"Our declaration came with the slight chance of leap-frogging North Nowra-Cambewarra in to second place, if we are able to win outright, as we felt two or three late wickets in the day would help.
"But given that Norths have first innings already, our declaration may of been too aggressive, but we always have the bigger picture in mind."
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