Cardinia’s Neil Barfuss was at his brutal best against Pakenham on Saturday. The Bulls’ opener made 89 of his team’s 6/213, but it was all to no avail as the Lions chased down the score in the 39th over. 74381 Picture: Donna OatesPakenham’s Ben Maroney led the way for the Lions in their successful run chase against Cardinia on Saturday. Maroney leaves the field after making 79 of his team’s 4/216. 74606 Picture: David Nagel
By David Nagel
PAKENHAM (4/216) announced itself a legitimate threat for this season’s title and Cardinia (6/213cc) lost no admirers in a magnificent game of cricket at Toomuc Reserve on Saturday.
This one had everything a cricket lover could ask for, and a big crowd gathered in the latter stages to create a real finals-type atmosphere for the players.
Lions’ skipper Mick Torney won the toss and asked the Bulls to bat first, a decision that looked like having disastrous consequences after Neil Barfuss (89) and captain Mark Cooper (44) got the visitors off to a flyer.
The two were a perfect combination: Barfuss was brutal despatching both good and bad balls to all parts of a lightning-fast ground, while Cooper settled into the background, accumulating as only he knows how. Between five and six runs an over was a consistent offering.
Barfuss brought up his half-century with some assistance from Lion youngster Jack Anning, who dropped a regulation catch at deep mid-on but amid the onslaught, the Lions kept up the chat and fought back courageously.
Cooper was first to go with the score on 137, trying to convert his 44 into a half century with one hit, but was caught by James Vella off the bowling of Ben Maroney (1/41) on the deep mid-wicket boundary.
That triggered some middle-order jitters for the Bulls, who looked like heading for a 250-plus score through the middle stages of the innings. Barfuss went one run later – the first of four scalps for game changer Ben Miller (4/41) – but not before he played an innings of rare quality.
Improvisation and brute force were the key ingredients, a lofted six over mid-wicket off Maroney with his weight on his back leg a shot that requires special mention.
Cardinia lost all of its six wickets within a 41-run stretch as Miller turned the momentum back Pakenham’s way. Only some lusty hitting from Mark Andolfatto (34 not out), which included two consecutive sixes off Miller saw the Bulls get reward for their great start. Still, with 213 on the board, the Bulls were in the box seat.
The Pakenham run-chase started cautiously, Maroney (79) contained his usual aggression, identifying early that a fast out-field would make scoring runs easy if he got settled in. His innings soon blossomed into one to match Barfuss’ earlier effort; his savage pulls and exquisite drives a joy to behold.
Bulls opening bowler Dean Henwood exchanged pleasantries with Maroney as things got a bit hot under the collar. Next ball after the niggle, Maroney produced a straight drive back past Henwood for four, having the final say in that battle.
Sugeesha Dinushan (34) was very smart with his running between wickets and played the perfect support role. When Maroney fell with the score on 2/114 captain Mick Torney (49) joined Dinushan and immediately made an impact, cracking a huge six over mid-wicket.
Then came the turning point.
On 10 and with the score on 126, Torney gave a difficult chance to Danny Diwell in the gully who put down the hot chance. From there, Torney played beautifully, taking his side to the brink of victory. His innings included a reverse sweep off the bowling of Barfuss (1/31) that brought the already involved crowd to fever pitch.
Jason Williams (25 not out) gave Bulls’ keeper Luke Turner a difficult chance with the first ball he faced, but then played some glorious strokes to see the Lions home in the 38th over.
