Underwood and Thomson star in Country victory over Metro

It was also significant for Blake Thomson and Matt Underwood, who both hit centuries to guide Vic Country to a thrilling win against their fellow Victorians.

Winning the toss and batting first, Vic Country lost Brayden Stepien and Nick King in the early stages to be in all sorts of trouble at 2-2, when Thomson and Country skipper Underwood came together at the wicket.

They went about a salvage operation with remarkable effectiveness, compiling a 231-run partnership – easily the biggest in Vic Country’s short history – to guide their side to 5-272, Thomson finishing with 110 and Underwood scoring 128.

Metro’s bowlers toiled hard without success, Thomas O’Donnell the only Metro wicket taker with 2-45 from ten overs to accompany three run outs.

In response, Metro got off to a positive start with openers Sam Harper (43) and Damon Egan (29) combining for a 63-run stand to lay the platform for Metro’s chase.

Metro then lost 3-36 as their middle order stumbled in their chase.

But Jackson Waters (65) and Will Pucovski (55) resurrected Metro’s hopes of victory with a 95-run partnership which set the match up for a close finish.

Some late hitting from Nick Fletcher (26*) wasn’t enough to get the Metro side over the line, falling 13 runs short against their Country rivals.

Other Victorians had enjoyed good performances for their adopted sides on the second day of the championships.

Sam Elliott was outstanding for the Northern Territory in their loss to ACT/NSW Country, claiming 5-46 from nine and a half overs.

It wasn’t enough to stop NT going down to their east coast opponents, bowled out for just 60 in their chase of 302.

Victorians Jonathan Merlo and Blake Parsons also had a good day for the CA XI in their win over Tasmania.

Whilst neither was able to get going with bat in hand, both players made an impact with the ball, Parsons picking up 2-45 and Merlo claiming 1-16 in the 56-run win.

Today, Vic Country will play the Northern Territory and Vic Metro will come up against Western Australia.