Wins elude Panthers

DEVON Meadows Agrade remains winless in season 200607 after going down by 58 runs against Beaconsfield.
After making a solid 9/239 last week, the Panthers made an excellent start to its defence when Doug Loudon and Peter Zauner claimed early wickets to reduce the home side to 2/28.
However the Panther attack was unable to make any further headway with Don Kerslake and Brad Miles consolidating the Tiger’s innings.
Approaching the tea break, a scare went through the Panther camp when Bill Loudon lunged for a catch and fell awkwardly on his back and an early tea break was called as medical attention was sought.
After the interval, Travis Canavan (3/63) made an important breakthrough, trapping Kerslake in front. However Miles was unstoppable and continued to plunder the Panther attack.
The visitors continued to toil and Canavan’s persistence was rewarded with two further wickets and Devon Meadows was back in the contest.
Miles was dropped soon after and this proved pivotal.
Doug Loudon (3/98 off 27 overs) claimed two wickets revive the Panthers chances as Beaconsfield slipped to 7/216.
However Miles with 165 was resolute and guided Beaconsfield passed their target without further loss.
Peter Zauner (4/67 off 21.3 overs) returned and wrapped up the innings, Beaconsfield dismissed for 297.

C GRADE

Devon Meadows went down in a thrilling encounter against Clyde at Junction Village at the weekend.
Chasing 250, Clyde had a solid start before Matthew Davidson made the initial breakthrough and when Mick Floyd (2/89 off 24 overs) claimed two quick wickets, Devon Meadows was back on top with Clyde 3/63.
A determined 97run fourthwicket stand was broken with the introduction of Luke Marrow (1/11) and three more wickets to Davidson (4/43) swung the game sharply back in favour of the Panthers with Clyde stuttering at 7/193.
However the Cougars were far from spent and a determined bottom order revived the home side’s chances.
Entering the final over, Clyde required five runs to win.
After taking three runs off the first ball, Lincoln Hepburn claimed an important wicket and with three dot balls the match came down to the final ball.
A wild swing saw the ball lofted just beyond the midoff fieldsman and the game was won by Clyde. Dropped catches again proved crucial, as the Panther fieldsman dropped no fewer than five for the afternoon.

E GRADE

Devon Meadows claimed an impressive outright victory over Officer at Glover Reserve.
Defending 243, Brett Vance claimed 3/26 and 4/38, but it was Devon Meadows’ juniors that stole the limelight.
James Howard bowled superbly to claim 2/36 and Daniel Marascia 4/8 to dismiss the Bullants for 72 in its first innings.
In the visitor’s second innings, Howard took 1/5 off five overs, while Chris Morrell cut a swathe through the lower order to claim 4/32, Officer all out for 81.

UNDER 15

Devon Meadows went down to Tooradin by 82 runs.
Defending 87, the young Panther attack had no answer for a disciplined Seagull top order.
Hayden Enlund (2/19) bowled superbly to claim the only two wickets to fall before Tooradin reached their target.
Emma Hussey also claimed a wicket (1/3) and Luke Howard bowled well without luck to finish with 0/12 off six overs.

UNDER 13

Chasing a massive 160 against Merinda Park, Devon Meadows survived some fine bowling to finish 8/79 off its 40 overs.
Alex Edgar (11) and Kyle Salerno (10) made double figures and Nathan Worsteling (seven not out), however it was Sam Hurdiss who saved the innings. Coming in with the score 5/49 in the 20th over, he survived to see out the innings, finishing three notout.

UNDER 11

Devon Meadows played KilcundaBass and several of the young Panthers put in excellent performances. M. Kirpichnikov (22), S. Churchill (10) and L. Williams (10) were the stars with the bat and J. May (1/5) and D. Clay (1/8) bowled well, while B. Nolan took a great catch.