CHASING outright points to remain in with a chance for the finals, Gembrook resumed its defence of 6/199 after having Pakenham at 3/41 after the first week in their C Grade match.
Wickets fell regularly and Pakenham was dismissed for 114.
The best bowlers were Rick Atkinson (3/21) and Tim Gray (3/16).
Gembrook then had a hit and declared at 3/74 with skipper James Perkins (32) and Andrew Hilder (20) the side’s main contributors.
This then set Pakenham 160 to win outright from 29 overs, but the team couldn’t recover from being 5/8 and was bowled out for 49 in the 27th over.
Best bowlers in the second innings were Atkinson (5/11) and Grant Whytcross 4/22, while Dean Allcott took a fine catch in slips.
The outright win has the side back in finals contention.
E GRADE
Resuming at 4/152 after dismissing Officer for 78 on the first day, Gembrook batted on for 12 overs and declared at 8/237.
Clint Osseweyer (48), Marty Williams (45) and Jeremy Everett (27) performed well.
Officer then had a second hit and was all out for 101 with Jai Berryman the destroyer, taking 7/27.
A result was a good outright win to cement the side in the top four.
F GRADE
Gembrook batted and made 131, with D. Hill (48 not out), R. Batten (34) and J. Baker (11) the best with the bat.
Beaconsfield then chased down the target and finished with 7/144.
Best of the Gembrook bowlers were D. Oliver (3/16), Nathan Walsh (1/10) and Lee Thiele (1/13).
The game was a pleasing effort, despite the loss.
