DEVON Meadows A-grade’s Danny Diwell cut loose with the bat to blast 70 and help steer his team to 9/226 against Pakenham on Saturday.
The Panthers began moderately after winning the toss and batting on a slow Glover Reserve.
Opening batsmen Darren Cooper and Daniel Steet fell victim to the Lions’ probing attack, as did Travis Canavan, leaving Darren O’Brien and Bill Loudon to guide the home side to 3/86 off 43 overs at tea.
Darren O’Brien fell for 49 soon after, paving the way for Diwell to take off.
The powerful all-rounder blasted five sixes off the hapless Pakenham attack, racing to his highest score of the year and setting up Devon Meadows’ big total.
Bill Loudon showed a welcome return to form, turning over the strike and defying a hamstring injury to register a well-constructed 74.
The total continues the Panther’s good recent form and they will be confident of regaining the Steve Vivian Shield this week.
C GRADE
The Panthers finds themselves in a strong position, reaching 1/26 in reply to Pakenham Upper-Toomuc’s 123.
After dropping eight catches in the first session, Luke Wishart and Peter O’Brien teamed to dismantle the Yabbie line up.
Wishart, Finning First National player of the week finished with 5/29 off 15 overs and O’Brien accepted five catches (four off Wishart’s bowling).
Peter Zauner was dismissed late in the day to leave Ian Hopper and Matt Davidson to pursue victory.
E GRADE
Panther’s skipper Mick Cloutter scored a resolute 84 off 67 overs to help his side to a commanding position over Gembrook.
Brett Vance (30), Russell Delalande (15) and Scott Nicholls (17) all provided valuable support, while Bobby Burns’ powerful 43 helped the home side to the imposing total of 264.
DEVON MEADOWS RED AND WHITE
A gutsy 18 not out by Andrew Saxon helped Devon Meadows Red stave off outright defeat against Devon Meadows White.
Chasing an imposing 230, Red had no answer for Jarrod Harley (3/6) and Kye Gillespie (2/4) and was dismissed for 48.
Daniel Marascia (1/6) and Chris Morrell (1/10) also took wickets, while Chris Benedek (10) and Callum McLean (seven) offered the greatest resistance.
Sent back in, Red offered far greater resistance, Saxon helping his side to reach 7/65 at stumps.
Morrell (3/17), Luke Howard (2/7) and Nick Thompson, claiming his first career scalp, took the wickets.
