By Jarrod Potter
WITH the finalists confirmed in District and Sub-District Divisions, following losses to St Francis Xavier and Cardinia – the last round has been relegated to a shoot-out to confirm final positions and to see who can rattle their sabres the hardest.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:ST FRANCIS XAVIER v MERINDA PARK
St Francis Xavier (160) gave Merinda Park (6/198) to force the Panthers to chase harder than expected to maintain their second spot going into the last round of home and away fixtures. Daniel McCalman (49) and Glen Ward (49) continued their run-laden seasons with both narrowly missing their half-centuries.
Jamie Smith (20 not out) joined Ward to make sure the points went to the Panthers. X-Men spinner Aaron Warn (3/68) worked hard to take out a dangerous trio – Matt Grayson (21), McCalman and Jess Mathers (10) – and was supported in long spells by Leigh Otten (1/39) and Chris Shepherdson (0/31). St Francis Xavier can still upset the apple cart if they defeat Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll this round while Merinda Park will fight for first place when they face Emerald.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:LYNDHURST VIKINGS v DEVON MEADOWS
Lyndhurst Vikings (119 and 193) dug deep to ensure Devon Meadows (4/206dec and 3/74) didn’t take maximum points. The Panthers declared before play but were unable to dislodge the Vikings.
After 68 overs of holding back the tide, Darren O’Brien (3/38) and Mick Floyd (3/56) finished off Lyndhurst, but with only eight overs remaining to chase 106 for an outright victory, the Panthers could only hit so hard, so fast and fell 32 runs short. Floyd (27 not out) and Daniel Steet (13 not out) were the biggest bashers for Devon Meadows. The Panthers will hunt for an outright win against Catani and Lyndhurst will finish their season facing Nyora.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:NYORA v NAR NAR GOON-MARYKNOLL
Sam Pullen (94) and Jamie Glen (51) put the screws to Nyora (110 and 4/77) as Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll (9/213dec) barely flexed a muscle in anger to take the points. Pullen and Glen pushed the run rate along as Paul Hendry (4/37) fought to contain the Marygoons.
The captain’s word brought the Marygoons in nine-down after Glenn and Chris Lewis (29 not out) added 69 for the seventh wicket. Nyora batted out the remaining overs with Troy Ferguson (41 not out) and Jake Hackett (20) contributing the most. Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll shared the overs and the wicket-taking around, using nine bowlers to test out combinations before finals. Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll has the biggest challenge of the finals bound sides this round facing St Francis Xavier while Nyora will match up against Lyndhurst Vikings.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:EMERALD v CATANI
With a little help from the Emerald (274) tail featuring Nathan Bownds (33) and Euan Thoms (32), the Bombers worked their way easily past Catani (141) to book a spot in the final four. Don Alenson (40) kicked off the run chase for the Bombers before finding himself trapped LBW.
From the lofty heights of 3/164, Emerald tumbled down the hill to 8/207 before the tail wagged. Rob Coupe, Tom Coupe and James McMahon bagged a pair of wickets each.
Emerald can’t move up or down from fourth, but can prevent Merinda Park taking first place this round while Catani can similarly prevent Devon Meadows from moving above third.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:SUB DISTRICT
TOORADIN v CARDINIA
Cardinia (86 and 7/179dec) boldly tried to manufacture an outright win against Tooradin (146 and 122), but couldn’t take the points and subsequently bowed out of finals contention.
Cardinia toppled Tooradin for 146 with Brayden Browne (4/45) and Ryan Little (3/15) skittling the Seagulls. The Bulls had a spark of life left in them as they smashed their way to a 119-run lead. Browne (42 not out) lead the way with the bat this time, with Brad Remy (39) and Caleb Boswell (31) featuring in the smash-fest. Tooradin opener Dave Freeman (59) went about chasing quick runs to steer the Seagulls to victory with help from Adam Sparks (18) and Mat Walker (18). Tooradin needed less than 25 overs to hit their way into the finals.Cardinia can’t rest yet, with relegation still on the cards and will need a victory over Upper Beaconsfield this round to ensure their status in Sub-District Division next season.
Tooradin will also barrack for Cardinia this week, as a Tooradin victory over Gembrook and a Bulls victory will allow the Seagulls to jump over Upper Beaconsfield and into third place.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:NAR NAR GOON-MARYKNOLLv LANG LANG
Lang Lang (8/228dec) kept the chasing pack at bay with a convincing victory over Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll (119 and 3/99). Dismissing the Marygoons for the measly total of 119, the Swamp Tigers went on a rampage with Ross Douglas (52) and Aaron Creasey (51 not out) going berserk.
Daniel Glen took four wickets, but the final blow couldn’t be inflicted. Mercy was finally given by Lang Lang, which let Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll go through the motions for the last thirty overs of the match. Bodie Brown was given eight overs in his second innings back from injury.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:UPPER BEACONFIELD v CRANBOURNE MEADOWS
The Murdochs couldn’t rescue Cranbourne Meadows (139) as they slumped from 1/58 to all out in short time against Upper Beaconsfield (187).
Andrew Clappers (2) fell early before a revival from Roger Cotterall (26) and Lee Murdoch (36) added 56 for the second scalp. Cotterall and Brett Richards (0) fell in succession before the Murdochs were brought together for the umpteenth time this season to salvage the batting. Lee Murdoch fell at 4/75 and from there, Brent Murdoch (38) was left to bear the run-making task on his own. 5/90 turned into all out for 139 as Jayden Joyce (4/27), Will Haines (2/13) and Kyle Gibbs (2/36) flew through the Rebels’ tail.
Cranbourne Meadows can relegate Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll with a victory this round and Upper Beaconsfield will fight for a shot at second place when it faces Cardinia.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:GEMBROOK v CLYDE
Clyde (4/162dec) paceman Adrian Buller-mania subsided somewhat this week as he only took 3/15 to go with 9/32 from the first Gembrook (65 and 103) innings.
Timmy Gray (37) and Aaron Matthews (25) held on as long as possible before being ripped from the crease by Dean Williams (2/25) and Joel Avard (1/8) respectively. The rest of the line-up couldn’t withstand the Cougars’ attack as Clyde ripped through the lower order.
Gray fell at 7/96 as the Brookers forced a fourth innings with the next three wickets falling in quick succession.
Chasing nine, Daniel McPherson claimed the consolation wicket of Avard before Gavin Adams (5 not out) and Glen Tuckwell (1 not out) completed the outright victory.
The maxiumum points victory ensures Clyde top position heading into the finals, but will fight for bragging rights this round against Lang Lang.
Gembrook will finish out their horror season with a last round match against Tooradin.
