King’s Road tore into the Battersea Badgers to put themselves in pole position after a sensational first day of this year’s Super Test.

After being bowled out for 253 just after tea, The Road took 6 crucial wickets in the evening session to leave the olde enemy reeling at stumps still 143 behind.

Matt Glover took 3 for 25 off 10, Matt Small bagged one and captain Mark Isham took two as King’s Road dominated at Dundonald Park in Wimbledon.

Earlier, Lomas Persad was clapped off the pitch after being dismissed four short of a second Super Test century.

His 96 off 59 balls was dazzling but it came to an end when he was caught going for a six at deep square leg off Rory Thomas.

Sham de Silva also hit 39 and there was 18 from Jack Caesar and 25 from Jon Malsingh before a late flurry from James Couldrey, with 19 not out, pushed the total to 253.

The match could have started terribly for The Road after Mark lost the toss – again – and they were put into bat.

First ball, a mix-up in the middle after a sharp call from Mark almost saw the skip or Lomas run out.

That, somehow, didn’t happen but Mark fell for 2 in the fifth over.

But some fabulous hitting from Lomas, who with Sham pit on 81 for the second wicket, and solid runs down the order saw The Road past tea after which the Badgers – having fielded for past 60 overs – were left 29 more to survive.

The first ball of the Badgers’ innings, like The Road’s, was bizarre and dramatic.

Matt Glover, opening from the Kevin Pietersen end, got a nick and ball flew to the slips.

Sham, at first slip, and Michael Rossi, at second, both dived and somehow the ball and their hands all clashed.

The ball went down and Rossi emerged with a dislocated finger on his left hand.

It looked horrific – but keeper Dan Sherman popped up to pop it back in, and Rossi continued.

Following that, Rossi’s finger swelled up but it didn’t stop him taking a catch and bowling two overs at the end.

The position sets up a thrilling second day with The Road needing to finish the job early and knock some quick runs before bowling out the Badgers again to force a win.

The Badgers meanwhile need a good early session and to bowl out The Road cheaply to keep the dream of a win alive or they could face a battle in their second innings to hang onto a draw.