A DEVASTATING 147run partnership by Berwick’s turfone’s Dave Hampton and Ash Henry demolished Doveton’s winning chances on Sunday.
The game was played at Endeavour Hills subdistrict ground due to the resurfacing of the Robinson reserve centre wicket the change having no effect on the reigning premiers.
Justin Stanton was in an attacking mood and launched four fours and a six in his innings of 29 before he was bowled. He shared a 48run opening stand with Brad Molineux (nine).
When Gavin Wills was run out three overs later, Berwick was looking shaky for the first time this season on 3/55.
English import Alex Roberts looked at home, belting three fours before scooping one back to the bowler on 13.
His wicket brought Ash Henry to the crease to join the imposing Dave Hampton.
The pair was relentless on the Doveton bowling attack as each brought up half centuries.
Henry was unstoppable, smashing six fours and three towering sixes in a brilliant innings of 66.
Hampton was faultless as he bounded to a century of the highest class and was dismissed shortly after for 103 with the score now 6/239.
The scoring rate slowed after the dominant pair was removed, the Bears gradually batting Doveton out of the game.
Rowan Nancarrow hit 26 and Berwick ended the day with a nearinsurmountable 303.
TURF TWO
Berwick was up against perhaps the strongest side in the competition in 2005, turfone grand finalists Hallam, desperate to avenge demotion from the premier grade last year.
The Bears chose to bowl on a slightly green and damp Arch Brown wicket and Paul Gramc and Jim Smith made an encouraging start, the former combining with his brother Sean to claim the first with the score on 15.
It was a tough road from here on, with talented pair Andre Peters and Steve Chapman carving their way through the Berwick attack.
Sean Gramc toiled hard without luck, finishing with 046 off 13 and firstgamer Jason Taylor plugged away with 018 off nine.
The everreliable Brendan Lloyd did well, claiming the wicket of Chapman and Michael Wallace struck in his first over, taking the wicket of Hallam captain Corey Booth.
Wallace was the pick of the bowlers, dismissing Peters and responding from a bit of stick from the lower order with a fourth wicket to finish with 4/65.
Berwick has a big task ahead and will find out where they stand, chasing 288 this week.
A GRADE
It was a slow day’s cricket at Carrol reserve, with the Bears bowling attack doing a shutdown job on St Mary’s.
Newball bowlers Matt Lloyd and Andrew Jenner kept the scoring to a trickle, but couldn’t get the muchneeded early wicket.
It wasn’t until the 31st over, with the score on 47, that James Wilcock broke through with a sharp inswinging yorker.
Wilcock was the pick of the bowlers, with 1/9 from his first stint.
Darren Shepherd made his return and took no time to regain his usual control of swing both into and away from the bat, finishing with 2/31.
Wayne Viney enjoyed his first game back, taking 3/28.
Lloyd returned to finish off the tail and Berwick eventually bundled St Mary’s out for 153 in the last of its 72 overs.
B GRADE
Berwick had a strong batting line up going into the game against Dandenong and didn’t fail to produce the goods.
Rob Witt led the way, rarely missing the middle of the bat, making his way to a halfcentury with ease then upping the ante and reaching 67.
Shaun Grant took over the rains and dominated proceedings, batting in his customary stylish fashion as he raced to 50. His next 50 came in a blur of boundaries, taking no mercy on the bowlers as he plundered the ball to all parts, bringing up a wellearned maiden 100.
When Grant fell for 105, Berwick was 300 and Mark Angelone joined the party with a fastpaced 40.
Rowan Purkiss also cashed in with 33 and remained unconquered and when play closed, the Bears had a healthy 313 on the board.
C GRADE
It was a tough day at the office against Fountain Gate for the Bears who were bundled out for a paltry 77, a total that could have been far worse if not for the efforts of Simon Craig in the lower order with 21.
Andy Peters, 19, was the only other major contributor, with too many batsmen throwing their wickets away.
The Bears were keen to make amends with the ball and used all possible options in an attempt to get themselves back in the game; Nicholas Shannon, Stephen Tolley, Geoff Wilcock, Michael Caldwell and Josh Holden all trying their hand.
Daz Yadav had the most success, taking 3/17 in seven very fast overs and Andy Peters will start his spell this week on a hattrick, taking 2/15.
Fountain gate finished the day in a commanding position on 8/170 with an interesting day’s play to be nutted out this week.
D GRADE
The Bears did everything in their power to see off a rampant Hampton Park bowling assault, but they could manage just 64 with Kevin Phillips knocking up 15 and N. Stone remaining 22 not out.
The day’s play finished with the ball completely dominating the bat, Hampton Park hitting just 118 all out in reply.
Phillips produced the goods with the ball, taking 3/41 and Andrew Thorpe helped out with 2/27.
Jack Pickering needed just three balls to take the last two wickets and Berwick had bowled themselves back into the game with the sides to battle it out for outright points this week.
