NYORA got the perfect revenge for its loss in last year’s B-grade grand final by downing Upper Beaconsfield in a tight encounter in the battle of the Maroons.
The loss was just Upper Beaconsfield’s third in its past 30 matches in the WGCA, with Nyora captain Nick Fairbank blasting his side to victory with an undefeated 61 runs.
Earlier, Upper Beaconsfield collapsed from 1/102 to be all out for 169 in the 41st over with Julian Bayard top-scoring at the top of the order with 46 runs.
In reply, Daniel Morrison blasted ball after ball over the Upper Beaconsfield fence on his way to 45, before Fairbank played with class and power to take his side to a memorable win with two wickets and five overs to spare.
With Upper Beaconsfield’s loss, Merinda Park gained outright position at the top of the District Division ladder after it comprehensively defeated Clyde by 126 runs.
Batting first, Merinda Park blasted 5/231 from its 45 overs with Craig Boswell (60 runs), Jess Mathers (50 not-out) and Brett Whittingham (49) leading the way with the bat for the Cobras.
Adrian Buller was the best of the Clyde bowlers, picking up the figures of 3/45 from nine overs.
With the bat, Clyde offered almost no resistance to the well-rounded Merinda Park attack, with Jess Mathers, Michael Cronin, Shannon Mathers and Craig Boswell each taking two wickets.
Clyde was eventually dismissed for just 105 in the 33rd over, with wicket-keeper Joel Avard the only Cougar batsman to offer any real resistance by scoring 21 runs.
Pakenham scored a vital win over Devon Meadows in a tight finish at Toomuc Reserve, reaching the required total with just three wickets in hand in the 45th over.
Devon Meadows batted solidly throughout its innings, despite the loss of steady wickets, with Daniel Steet’s 42 runs at the top of the order being the top-score for the Panthers.
Paul O’Brien and Peter Zanuer scored 35 and 33 runs respectively to help guide the visitors to 167 in the 45th over.
In reply, Pakenham number-three batsman Dom Paynter hit four boundaries on his way to 41 runs, while Ben Maroney hit six boundaries in his innings of 36.
The Lions eventually reached the total of 7/171 at the end of their 45 overs, gaining the 12 points in what was a thrilling contest.
Kilcunda-Bass remains winless in the District Division after it was comprehensively beaten by Emerald on Saturday, with the Bombers reaching the required target of just 84 runs for the loss of only two wickets.
Earlier, Callum Thoms and Anthony Flint each took three wickets for the Bombers as the Sharks were dismissed for just 83.
Alan Bendall (35 runs) and Andrew Walker (25 runs) then saw the Bombers to victory, with the visitors reaching 3/93 after 15 overs when the match was ended.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:SUB-DISTRICT DIVISION
Lyndhurst won its first match of the 2008/2009 season after easily accounting for Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll at Barry Simon Recreation Reserve.
The Marygoons were dismissed for just 116 in the 38th over on the back of a tremendous spell of bowling from Heath Straughair who claimed the brilliant figures of 5/17 from nine overs.
In reply, Paul Gray hit five boundaries on his way to 48 to see the Vikings to a strong victory, eventually reaching 5/119 from 40 overs.
Chris Shepherdson scored a breathtaking undefeated century as St Francis Xavier Old Collegians (SFX) scored a strong victory over Cranbourne Meadows.
Shepherdson scored 103 not-out in his side’s total of 8/228 from 40 overs, before the Rebels were knocked over for just 161 in reply.
Aaron Warn was the chief destroyer for the Saints, taking 4/38 from seven overs, while only Geoff Rowley offered any real resistance with the bat for the Rebels, scoring a fine 40 runs.
Lang Lang’s total of 117 proved to be too strong for Tooradin, with the Seagulls only managing 9/96 in reply from 34.2 overs.
David Freeman claimed three wickets for Tooradin, while Ricky Caddell’s figures of 3/25 from seven overs for Lang Lang helped set up its victory.
Beaconsfield was far too strong for its opponent Gembrook, with the Tigers blasting 6/200 from their 45 overs before knocking Gembrook over for just 87.
Tyler Sidwell was the match-winner for Beaconsfield scoring a brilliant 80 runs, before James Johnston took four wickets for the Tigers on the way to their 113-run victory.
