By David Nagel
THIRD-placed Pakenham will put its premiership legitimacy to the ultimate test in the coming weeks as it faces the undefeated Cardinia in back-to-back West Gippsland Cricket Association (WGCA) Premier Division encounters.
A reverse draw in the WGCA will see the same two combatants battle it out in this week’s round seven one-dayer followed by a two-day clash leading into the Christmas break.
The Lions host the Bulls this week and it’s their main strength – positive batting – that will need to be at its best if it’s to combat the visitors’ attack.
Cardinia’s Scrooge-like line-up is the meanest and most miserly going around.
Gun spinner Dwayne Doig might get all the accolades but he has some team mates who also frown upon runs being scored by the opposition.
Under-rated bowlers Neil Barfuss, Craig Boswell, Dean Henwood and Travis Welsh might not be able to match Doig’s frugal economy rate of 2.06 runs per over but they all go for well under three runs per over themselves.
The Bulls build pressure and teams normally crack, three teams, Tooradin, Beaconsfield and Pakenham Upper-Toomuc have all failed to reach triple figures against the Bulls this season.
Pakenham, however, is one of few teams that have the artillery in its top six to challenge Bulls’ skipper Mark Cooper’s game plan.
Ben Maroney and captain Mick Torney are naturally aggressive batsmen while Russ Lehman, Sugeesha Dinushan, Dom Paynter and the in-form Jason Williams all score quickly and stylishly. The hard hitting Torney is looking forward to the challenge.
“I suppose it’s the ultimate test the way they’ve been playing,” Torney said.
“They’ve got a few older heads that play smart cricket.
“I’m not saying our younger blokes aren’t smart cricketers but their blokes are experienced.
“They’re definitely beatable though, I’m confident we’ll be very competitive, we’ve just got to hang in there at the key moments.
“The next three weeks could really set up our season.”
Torney is delighted with his team’s third position on the ladder but said his own season needs a kick start. It’s not form, but opportunities that have been lacking.
“Yeah, I probably haven’t had much of an opportunity to be honest; I’ve been coming in with 15 overs to bat but that’s not a problem, all the top six have chipped in when needed.”
Pakenham might be able to match Cardinia when it’s the Lions’ turn to bat but it’s with the ball where they need improvement.
Apart from the round two game against Upper Beaconsfield their attack has lacked penetration, and against this Bulls outfit that has trouble written all over it.
We’d love to go with the Lions to cause an upset but the Bulls have too much depth with both bat and ball and should be too good.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Upper Beaconsfield v Tooradin
FOURTH placed Upper Beaconsfield play host to fifth placed Tooradin in a match where two high profile WGCA recruits will lock horns.
The home side’s Shawn Flegler and the Seagulls’ Tom Hussey have both been brilliant this season and they look certain to stare each other down from 22 yards at some stage this Saturday.
Hussey has consistently seen off the opposition new-ball this year and with the Maroons total reliance on the spin bowling of Flegler and captain Scott Pitcher, the contest could be on sooner rather than later.
Hussey will need his dancing shoes on and in sync.
Flegler and Pitcher are the competition’s most thorough examination of slow bowling; it will be fascinating to see how Hussey attacks the contest.
Daniel Brennan and Flegler are averaging more than 50 with the bat for the Maroons so Seagulls bowlers, Ben Mantel, Callum O’Hare and captain Aaron Avery will need to strike before they settle in.
Apart from the individual battles, this is a massive game in the context of both seasons.
Tooradin was the spruik side at the start of the season, Avery confident the inclusion of some name recruits would make his team a premiership contender. Likewise, Pitcher is desperate to play finals this season.
Aaron Avery will walk away a happy man on Saturday night, Tooradin just.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Pakenham Upper-Toomuc v Beaconsfield
IT TOOK a while to happen but last season’s premiers, Beaconsfield, finally have some momentum and it hopes that will continue when it travels to Pakenham Upper-Toomuc (PUT) this Saturday.
The Tigers were almost an extinct species this season with no wins from four matches but chased down Officer’s 254 in round five to keep their faint hopes alive.
Last round’s wash-out suited the Tigers as well, they looked like facing second placed Kooweerup with a much depleted line-up but walked happily away with a draw and six points instead.
Troy McDermott has been solid with the red leather this season while Jason Dodd is a much better bowler than his four wickets would indicate.
It’s a matter of time before he puts in a match-winning spell and this week could be his chance against the down on confidence Yabbies.
PUT were hammered by Cardinia in round five with no notable contributions, but players like Chris Smith and Darren Warne don’t lose their class overnight.
Smith has been superb with the ball with 14 wickets while Warne is averaging 61 with the bat.
Beaconsfield’s batting could be the key in this clash. Brad Miles looked in imperious touch for his 46 against Officer and young Jordy Andrews rose to the occasion with a fine 70. It’s impossible to pick PUT until they show improved form, the Tigers to march on.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Kooweerup v Officer
SECOND placed Kooweerup play host to bottom placed Officer this week and the competitiveness of this game relies on two players.
Officer skipper Brett Reid and his trusty side kick Ollie Brown.
Reid and Brown have been magnificent this season, leading a young side through some difficult times and are capable of mixing it up with any opponent.
The two Bullants had their team in a winning position against Beaconsfield in round five but early wasted opportunities with the ball cost them dearly.
There’s no such reliance on individuals at Kooweerup.
Run-machine Chris O’Hara and Shane Dole led the way with the willow in their last match against Upper Beaconsfield but this week it could be one of four or five others.
The Demons made more runs than other team last season and are heading down the same path this summer.
Dole backed that up with six wickets and is one of several talented all-rounders who can swing a game the Demons’ way.
Matt Davey is another all-rounder who is a key player in the Demons’ line-up; he’s only taken five wickets this year but his economy rate is the equal of any bowler in the competition.
Good teams build pressure through tight bowling and Davey has this facet of the game down pat.
Whether Reid and Brown fire or not, the Demons will win easily.
