STRONG batting was the order of the day in Southern Cricket League Menzies Shield action on Saturday.
Four of the five teams that batted first scored in excess of 200 as batsmen made the most of fine conditions.
Salesian Old Boys continue to enjoy their promotion to the League's premier grade and, through the agency of the Herft brothers, have set Notting Hill Brandon Park a formidable target of 255 to chase.
Chris Herft top-scored with 86 for the Old Boys and Cecil contributed 46.
Marlon Boustead hit up 68 for Chadstone Harlequin in its score of 218 against premiers Cavaliers.
Mt Waverley Uniting rebounded following its poor first-game batting effort to amass 9-267 against St Pauls Glen Waverley. Uniting's score came mainly through Tarquin Leaver (91) and Marc O'Donoghue (73).
Toorak-Prahran put up a consistent batting performance against Glen Waverley, which must now chase 256.
In the one game where the ball dominated, Mt Waverley Catholics secured first-innings points against St James Malvern Valley.
Matt Jeffries for the Catholics starred with bat and ball, making 43 not out and taking 3-19.
East Oakleigh hammered the Notting Hill Brandon Park bowling for 285 in Mackay Shield action.