A MARATHON bowling effort from Chris Moase ensured Cudgen claimed first innings points against Alstonville on Saturday, but the home side ran out of overs as they closed in on the outright victory.

The paceman stepped up to the plate in the absence of strike bowler Michael Anderson, claiming 10 wickets from 30 overs during two innings at Reg Dalton Oval.

Skipper Terry Wilson was full of praise for Moase, but critical of his side's poor effort in the field which he said cost it outright points.

"He bowled superbly and has been really consistent for us over the past two years," Wilson said of Moase.

"He is a natural swing bowler but the balls we are using in this comp really haven't allowed him to show his full potential."

Wilson went as far as to describe the balls used in the LJ Hooker League as "crap", and said Moase shows his class at representative level when he is able to use an alternate brand of ball.

"The conditions suited Chris on Saturday because it was relatively overcast and the pitch was a little green, which enabled him to get some good movement off the seam," Wilson said.

"When he gets that, he is one of the best bowlers in the competition."

A natural athlete and a first-grade rugby league player, Moase was not troubled by his heavy workload.

He bowled non-stop in the first innings, bowling a marathon 24 overs to finish with 7-62.

Alstonville was dismissed for 116, well short of Cudgen's 5(dec)-295, so Wilson sent the visitors back in and Moase went back to work.

In the second innings he bowled only six overs, but was still his side's most dangerous, taking 3-18.

Despite his best efforts, Alstonville avoided outright defeat, finishing at 6-91.