BACK IN BLACK: Myrtleford Football and Netball Club held its “debt demolition” dinner on Saturday night, and was remarkably successful. MC Damien Rossato, Essendon legend Terry Daniher and Myrtleford FNC president Bill O’Donohue were on hand as around $80,000 was pledged to the club to erase its debts.

MYRTLEFORD is in a strong position after the opening day of play in its WDCA round five match against Yarrawonga Mulwala.

The Saints batted out the entire day - 81 overs - and posted a competitive total of 8/253.

The Saints appeared determined to atone for last week’s loss to Wangaratta Magpies, in which they were bowled out for just 109.

After winning the toss, skipper Hayden Murray chose to bat first, and opening batsmen Matt McCormack and Aaron McIlroy made the most of the ideal conditions.

The pair added their second 50-run opening stand of the season before McCormack was caught off the bowling of Marcus Hargreaves for 28, bringing his tally to 218 runs at 43.60 in five innings.

When McIlroy was dismissed shortly afterwards for 25 the Saints had slipped to 2/59, and might have been sweating considering the recent lack of cohesion shown by the middle order.

But with Ross Cavill back in the line up, and Murray looking to end his run of outs, Myrtleford looked strikingly assured.

Cavill played a forceful hand in a partnership of 51, hitting four boundaries and a six on his way to 38, adding to knocks of 45 and 37 in rounds two and three.

Murray seemed more intent on crafting a long innings as he attempted to recapture the form that saw him dominate in A reserve grade last season.

He was eventually out for 37, and while it wasn’t the huge score he was after, the innings will give Murray confidence as he continues to recover from a serious knee injury.

Jayden Vescio was unable to trouble Yarrawonga Mulwala’s attack for too long, giving Adam Clarke his third wicket when he nicked the ball through to Daniel Athanitis on 12, and when Brendan Breen was dismissed for 11 Myrtleford again looked to be in trouble at 6/159.