By Jarrod Potter
WHILE the finals places have been allocated, with slight arrangement of the order left to come, the batsmen took fancy at the scorching conditions to belt home big totals.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:LYNDHURST VIKINGS v NYORA
As if we’re in a time warp back to this time last season, Nyora (369) was unstoppable against Lyndhurst Vikings, as the home side called up all 11 blokes to roll over their arm. The Vikings couldn’t find any answers as Adam Tagliaferro (109) hit his first century in the WGCA, with Troy Ferguson (62) all but stitching up the District batting aggregate, with only a big hundred from James McMahon or a second innings from Steve Robinson standing in the way. Tail-wagging came from Paul Hendry (61) as he and Tagliaferro knocked together a 164 run partnership for the seventh wicket, the best in the top three grades this season. Nyora finished up two balls short of a full day batting on 369. Of the 11 Vikings who tried their hand at bowling, David Clifford (2/33) and Heath Straughair (2/44) were the best.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:DEVON MEADOWS v CATANI
The run-fest continued at Devon Meadows (278) as they set about gaining a home ground semi-final against Catani (2/3).
Lucas Carroll (1) fell to James McMahon as Catani started the day properly. It all went pear-shaped after that, with Steve Robinson (74) and Alex Travaglia (57) hitting 66 together before the short-and-sweet innings from Travaglia came to an end via Tom Coupe (1/25). Robinson kicked on with Darren O’Brien (33) for 81 runs off the third wicket. The wheels fell off from there as the Panthers dropped six wickets for 58 to be reduced to 8/211. Rescue roles were assigned to Mick Floyd (37) and Bill Loudon (31), with the lower-order pair putting 63 more on the final scoreline. Catani’s best belonged to Owen Fitzpatrick (4/77), Rob Coupe (2/33) and McMahon (2/45).
Catani had to survive two overs at the end of the searing hot day, but lost two wickets in the final over as Mick Floyd kick-started an outright-win pursuit for Devon Meadows.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:MERINDA PARK v EMERALD
The loss of spearhead Clint Marsh prevented Emerald from tearing through the Merinda Park (7/360) lineup, as the Cobras made good use of the conditions, with four half-centuries and utter carnage the order of the day. It started badly for Emerald and only got worse as Merinda Park openers Chris Smith (90) and Matt Grayson (75) smashed 178 runs together before Grayson departed. All-rounder Jess Mathers (0) didn’t want to spend any time in the sun and Greg Ward (17) similarly wasn’t sticking around for the long haul. Smith’s knock ended 10 short of his maiden WGCA century when he was rapped on the pads. Following his rollicking 85 against Catani two rounds ago, Uma Rattan (80) was promoted up the order to keep the runs ticking along. Rattan and Andrew Martin (58) went the tonk, smashing 15 fours and a six between them in a 104 run partnership of the day. Adam Newstead (15 not out) was left to watch from the other end as Rattan rampaged before the newest all-round sensation was found occupying the wrong space in front of the stumps. After their 80 overs, the Cobras had belted the Bombers to all parts of Donnelly Reserve, with Tom Baldock (3/56) and 17-year-old tweaker Nathan Bownds (1/72 off 21 overs) the best from the hills. Merinda Park will go on the hunt for an outright victory in pursuit of capturing the minor premiership.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:NAR NAR GOON-MARYKNOLL v ST FRANCIS XAVIER
The only side this week in District Division not to cash in with the hot conditions was St Francis Xavier (134), which bore the brunt of Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll (3/101) as the top side inched even closer towards the minor premiership. The X-Men top order rapidly crumbled as Aaron Warn (8), David Hill (3) and Ben Zanol (0) were sent back to the sheds at 3/19. Chris Shepherdson (31) started to lay a foundation for St Francis Xavier, as he crept the score up with Gahan Nathanielsz (10) and Stephen Shepherdson (19). The latter Shepherdson kept the runs flowing with Brendan Hunt (32), to get St Francis Xavier into triple figures. At 7/115 with all the recognised batsmen dismissed, the X-Men limped to 49.4 overs for their 134. Tom Keily (3/32), Chris Lewis (2/19) and Vinny Van Strijp (2/35) proved most effective for the Marygoons.
The response from Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll was patient, as all five batsmen used reached double figures. Only Jamie Glen (44 not out) made the most of his start, as Keily (13), David McDermid (12) and Steven Lewis (11) were bundled out. The Marygoons will resume next week 33 runs short of first innings points, with a quick hit-and-declaration possibly on the cards to aim for an outright victory.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:SUB-DISTRICT
CLYDE v LANG LANG
The mega-clash between Clyde and Lang Lang (9/352cc) didn’t live up to expectations, as the Cougars felt the roar of the Swamp Tigers’ long batting order. First blood went to Clyde as they ripped Ricky Caddell (4) and Cameron Chasemore (0) from the crease via Dean Williams (2/73). From there Lang Lang stabilised through wicketkeeper-batsman Ross Douglas (96) and Peter Wilson (25), adding 98 for the third wicket. Wilson went LBW to Noel O’Brien (2/53) and Douglas snicked one to Brad Goodman four shy of his century as Lang Lang crept towards 200. At 6/188, it seemed as if 200 would be acceptable for the Swamp Tigers, but Glen Easton (64), Aaron Creasey (64 not out) and Rogan Fraser (57) gave evidence for batting order promotion. The lower order clung on tenaciously to push Lang Lang to 352 at stumps. Williams, O’Brien and Kane Avard (2/44) were the only bowlers to claim multiple wickets.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:CRANBOURNE MEADOWS v NAR NAR GOON-MARYKNOLL
Brent Murdoch (65) continued his impressive season with the bat as Cranbourne Meadows (224) set a challenging total for Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll to reach in order to avoid relegation. The Marygoons struck early to cheaply remove Roger Cotterall (2), Jason Poole (0) and Trevor Poole (7) and leave the Rebels 3/24. Murdoch and Andrew Clappers (30) cobbled 94 runs together before the pair fell in quick succession to Wade Crawford (4/69). Brett Richards (16) had a quickfire innings, but it took Adrian Savage (44) and Mat Smith (17) to rejuvenate the Rebels. The pair added 31 and Savage continued to draw out the innings with Steve Bird (14 not out) to ensure Cranbourne Meadows had something worthwhile to defend this weekend. Crawford and Michael Jennings (4/59) proved most successful for the Marygoons.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:CARDINIA v UPPER BEACONSFIELD
Upper Beaconsfield (175) hasn’t helped its finals preparations, having fell cheaply against Cardinia (5/103), with the Bulls desperate to win to avoid missing out on the final four. Cardinia was the beneficiary of Tooradin illegally fielding unregistered players last round and it skyrocketed the Bulls up to fourth, but the decision could be overturned pending a tribunal hearing held last night after the Gazette went to print.
Cardinia made the most of their potential top four spot, rattling Upper Beaconsfield for 175. Shawn Hassall (47) was forced to hold the innings together after Taylor Joyce (38) was the only top-order batsmen to cash in. From serious trouble at 6/83, the tail wagged hard for the Maroons to steer them to a par score. Alex Nooy (2/18) and Kal Braid-Ball (2/20) were the best of the bowlers.
The response from Cardinia was lively as Ash Jones (27), Caleb Boswell (26) and Ricky Campbell (25) smashed quick runs to set Cardinia up for an outright victory chance this weekend.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:GEMBROOK v TOORADIN
Gembrook (150) have proved a sizeable road-block for Tooradin (3/85) staying in Sub-District Division next year, following the Seagulls losing their round 13 points against Cardinia for a breach of player rules by fielding unregistered players. Tooradin is appealing the decision with the hearing held last night (Tuesday 28 February).
No further results available
