CARDINIA Agrade side produced its worst performance of the season so far being easily defeated by Officer on Saturday.
Officer resumed at 3/72 on day two, chasing 118 batted on to pass the Bulls’ total with only five batsmen out.
Dwayne Doig bowled his usual tight and probing line that saw him finish with 4/75. Brad Goodman added two to the wickets column after taking 2/25.
Adam Hobson and parttimer John Nooy both took a wicket each and the Bullants finished their innings at 209 – a lead of 91.
Having a second hit, Cardinia squandered to be 7/82.
Only a fine 53 notout from club vicepresident Steve Paterson was the only highlight.
B GRADE
Cardinia played a strong Upper Beaconsfield side and its meagre total of 158 stood little chance.
Every player had the opportunity to bowl in a desperate effort to capture wickets that eluded the Bulls for a major portion of the day’s play.
Ryan DeReus did the best, taking 2/18. Matt Adlam and Brodie Glen both took two wickets each on a hard day of cricket for the Bulls who were eventually hit for 309 on a picturesque E Gunton Reserve that provided plenty of value for those willing to play their strokes.
D GRADE
In an exciting game, Cardinia and Tooradin played out a tie at Rythdale on Saturday.
Chasing the Seagulls’ 204, Cardinia was already 2/22 when it resumed.
Peter Wilson and Matthew Argoon put on 74 for the third wicket before the latter was dismissed by a brilliant catch that flew through the point region.
Wilson batted on with Ricky Delphine (22) before being out for an excellent 46.
James Daly (18) blasted four fours in his short stay at the crease and Nathaniel Wade (25) batted superbly in a match that was filled with tension and excitement.
The score was at 181 for the loss of nine wickets and Evan Webster joined Daniel Cairns.
This pair took control of the Tooradin bowlers and added 23 runs to the total before Webster was bowled by a Darren Mantel thunderbolt that left the match tied.
Tooradin had another hit and made 4/77.
All the bowlers bowled in alphabetical order and Matt Hobson (2/2) did the best and Matthew Argoon took 1/14 as well as Daniel Cairns and Ricky Delphine combining to run out Gareth Andrews who was again amongst the runs, scoring 40 for the Gulls.
E GRADE
Tooradin was 1/59 overnight chasing the Bulls’ 200.
Wayne Snooks toiled hard for 19.3 overs before a hamstring strain prematurely ended his spell that returned the figures of 4/60.
Chris Lemmon returned to form with the ball capturing 4/21 after smashing 62 with the bat last week.
Brad Snooks toiled hard with an injured bowling hand and Pete McEwan brought the house down with an exceptional onehanded pickup directhit runout.
Tooradin was all out for 161.
In the second innings Matt Ryan made 36 and Lemmon 10 before they retired to make way for junior players Phil Strahan and Damien Monckton who made eight and 24 notout respectively.
UNDER 17
KilcundaBass put up a superb effort to chase Cardinia’s 174 at the weekend falling just 28 runs short.
Damien Monckton was the best bowler of the day taking 3/21 and Ricky Campbell, Tom Bennett and Evan Webster all took one wicket in a solid performance from the Bulls.
UNDER 15
After Travis Welsh decimated Merinda Park last week, the Bulls returned to Donnelly Reserve to comprehensively defeat the Cobras. Bradey Welsh again retired on 32 as well as Brad Tanner getting 31.
Chris Wirth made an exceptional 19 and was well supported by Jason Fisher (12).
Keith Linford also batted very well for 13 that included a towering four that flew to the boundary.
