DOUG Loudon singlehandedly kept Devon Meadows’ faint finals hopes alive with an eightwicket haul in an inspired performance against fellow finals aspirant Catani on Saturday.
The Panthers were on top from the start, Catani not scoring a run off the bat until the seventh over and Loudon taking two early wickets.
The Blues consolidated before Travis Canavan took a sharp onehanded chance off the bowling of Matthew Davidson to again give the home side the ascendancy, Catani 3/108 at tea.
Introduction of Loudon following the interval triggered Catani’s collapse.
Bowling a superb line and length, the Blues’ lower order had no answer for Loudon’s aggressive attack to be all out for 192 in the 61st over.
With 16 challenging overs to face, the Panthers lost both opening batsmen to slump to 2/16 before Bill Loudon (24 not out) and Mick Floyd (six not out) guided the Panthers to 2/41 at stumps.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:C GRADE
Devon Meadows has its work cut out after Nar Nar GoonMaryknoll reached 308 at Glover Reserve.
Luke Wishart led the way for the Panthers, taking 5/75 off 17 overs, while Darren Logan took 2/37 and under15 leg spinner Hayden Enlund took 1/31 his first Cgrade wicket
Logan and Steven Hosking then survived challenging final overs to guide their side to 17 without loss.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:E GRADE
Needing to win to play finals, Devon Meadows found itself narrowly on top of Merinda Park after the Cobras were dismissed for 220.
Veteran Ian Hopper took 4/51 from 17 overs to keep his side’s finals hopes alive, while Chris Morrel took 2/24.
Luke Howard made 35 not out to give the under 15s the ascendancy against Clyde. Hayden Enlund made a wellconstructed 26 and Chris Morrell maintained his excellent form with 22 as the Panthers reached the challenging total of 139.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:UNDER 13
The under 13s have all but secured second spot on the ladder after Chris Benedk, Anthony Northeast and Alex Edgar each claimed two wickets to dismiss the Maroons for 46.
Sam Hurdiss (18 not out) and Andrew Lay (9 notout) then steered the home side to within a run of victory, reaching 2/46 at stumps.
