Wells, who has a century to his name this season, was bowled by Berry but Dave McAllister and Jaspal Bansal then set about getting the innings back on track for a big total.

CYMS batted out 68 of their 75 overs to finish with 208 but then picked up Mick Daly’s wicket to have Souths 1-10 after seven overs when they resume next week.

McAllister played a solid knock for 38 off 72 balls in 82 minutes and shared a vital second wicket partnership of 61 with Bansal.

Bansal showed he was a man in form by getting into double figures with five successive twos and it was a shame that he was out for 97 at 6-190 with 25 overs still be bowled.

His runs came from 171 balls in 219 patient minutes in the middle.

Remarkably that was the third time this season he’s been out for 97 and twice against Souths and on both occasions Scott Tucker was the bowler who took his wicket.

Enjoying a wonderfully good season, Bansal also has made a century and along the way showed that CYMS can’t be dismissed as top three finals candidates.

A win in this game against the competition cellar dwellers will enhance their prospects.

“It wasn’t an easy wicket to bat on today but it’s still pretty good. The ball wasn’t coming onto the bat, so you have to be selective with your stroke selection,” Bansal said.

“Our 208 wasn’t such a bad score to make and if Souths have to bat under similar conditions next week it could turn out to be a good match.” 

The bounce of the ball favoured CYMS at the close of play when Souths lost the vital wicket of Mick Daly during the final seven overs.

After surviving a confident leg before wicket appeal in the same over, CYMS captain Ben Strachan finally got his man when Daly for some reason didn’t offer a shot and was bowled for a duck.

Souths will resume on Saturday at 1-10 with Shane Groen (0) and Nathan Finlay (9) not out.

Souths’ skipper Nathan Finlay said the performance from his side was ‘much better’ than when they were beaten outright last game against RSL-Colts.

“The bowlers stuck to their task a lot better today and bowled a good line and length but we let ourselves down with some sloppy fielding at times,” Finlay said. “We should have had Jaspal on 50 but the catch went down at mid wicket.”

Having all-rounder John Colwell back in first grade is certain to lift Souths. He bowled 18 overs for 3-41 to claim the bowling figures on Saturday but getting runs will now be a priority.

Colwell has the knack of making big scores and he doesn’t take long to do it. Tim Berry, Scott Tucker and Nathan Finlay all picked up two wickets and provided solid support for Colwell.

Souths showed little fight in their batting last game against Colts being dismissed for 82 and 83 and after that found themselves in last place on the points ladder with little or no chance of making the finals.