A WHIRLWIND late knock from all-rounder Eric Ruuska has breathed life into Broadmeadows' bid for a breakthrough victory in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west group.

The Falcons have languished in the first XI cellar all summer without success, but club secretary Pas Sciulli is optimistic their clash-of-the-birds meeting with the Williamstown Seagulls at the Williamstown Cricket Ground is winnable heading into the second day.

"If we bowl well we give ourselves a reasonable chance," he said.

"Williamstown are a strong team but they've struggled a little bit with the bat recently."

The Falcons' innings of 213 is marginally below par.

But, the Seagulls would be intimidated by the run chase having reached that score only once in the new year.

Skipper Ian Hudson was first to go for the Falcons after his promotion to the top of the order did not go as planned.

The free-wheeling Vani Vagi Morea (34) joined opener Ben Rose (37) at the crease to lay a solid foundation for the Falcons with a 74-run second wicket stand.

The inconsistent top-order failed to capitalise as Mitchell Streiff and Michael Young fell cheaply to leave the visitors in trouble on 5-87.

"We were behind the eight ball," Sciulli said. "We needed a middle-order revival."

Andrew Bonaguro (36) and Lester Herathge (24) responded for the Falcons.

And then came the breathtaking array of shots from Ruuska.

The 1998-99 Hatch Medallist and former coach dispatched the Seagulls attack to all parts, including over the fence, en route to a quick-fire 61.

"He hit some towering sixes," Sciulli said.

"Anything that's up got hit over the bowler's head."

In a disappointing end to the day, the "wayward" Falcons bowling allowed the Seagulls to eat into the target, finishing on 1-43 off seven entertaining overs at stumps.

Streiff made amends for his small score with the bat by claiming the scalp of Seagulls opener Cameron D'Altera.

"We were reasonably happy with the first day," Sciulli said.

"We think it's a 50-50 game still."