CARDINIAPREMIER

CARDINIA’S Premier team was narrowly beaten in the grand final by the unbeaten Beaconsfield. Playing in its third grand final in a row and the first against Beaconsfield at the top level, Cardinia bowled first in perfect conditions.
Beaconsfield got off to a great start despite some great bowling from Neil Barfuss and Dwayne Doig. Beaconsfield was intent on keeping wickets and not taking too many risks.
At tea they had reached an ominous 2/108 and a big score was there for the taking.
At 2/183 some great fielding from Cardinia saw the pressure to score quickly result in several run-outs as Cardinia found itself back in the game with three quick wickets.
Eighteen-year-old Jason Fisher bowled a great spell that resulted in another two run-outs, which saw Beaconsfield crash to 8/216.
Some steady batting eventually had the Tigers reach a respectable 238 . Neil Barfuss’ three wickets was the best of the Bulls bowlers .
Cardinia started in the worst possible way in its run chase losing Mark Cooper in the third over, and things only got worse as Nooy and Barfuss followed soon after to see Cardinia down and almost out at 3/31.
From there things got worse as the Bulls slumped to 6/76 with Steve Patterson scoring 26.
Veteran Ben Darose and Mark Andolfatto then started a rescue mission as the tiring and half-fit Beaconsfield attack started to labor. They took the score to 139 before Andolfatto was out for 36. Luke Turner joined Darose and once again the scoring rate increased as the partnership moved to 41, when Turner was bowled for 18.
With 61 required and only two wickets remaining both Darose and Dean Henwood continued to attack as the Cardinia faithful dared to dream.
As the score reached 213 Ben Darose’s brilliant innings of 82 came to an end, caught at deep mid-off.
Jason Fisher and Henwood gradually got the score to 229 before Henwood was caught, ending a great come-back by the Bulls to fall agonizingly short.
Henwoods innings of 33 showed signs of another good all-rounder coming through for Cardinia.
Thankyou to the Officer Cricket Club for presenting such great conditions, and to Beaconsfield, who are deserved premiers.
C GRADE
Cardinia C Grade pulled off a magnificent victory to make it two in a row. Batting first against Clyde the Bulls were all but gone at 6/26 before Clint Giplin and captain Matt Ryan etched out a solid 36-run partnership, before Matt was out for 24.
Clint was joined by Evan Webster, who started the most important innings of his career. These two got the score to 81 before Clint was out for a well-made 29.
Chris Lemon then made his way to the crease and with grim determination kept the Clyde bowlers at bay while – slowly but surely – the scoreboard ticked over.
Chris was bowled for 10 as the score reached 102. Nat Wade and Evan managed to see the Bulls to 108 before Nat was out.
Evan remained 13 not out and batted for 24 overs which was to prove pivotal in the result.
A nasty session for Clyde saw them lose two wickets both to a pumped up Chris Lemon to finish the day 2/15 .
With nothing to lose, the Bulls returned full of enthusiasm and overwhelmed Clyde, Nat Wade removing guns Brad Goodman and Stuart Williams.
From there Chris Lemon on his 35th birthday was unstoppable, running through the Clyde team to see them all out for 91.
Lemon finished with 6/37 a brilliant man of the match performance.
UNDER 17
The under-17s took on the undefeated top side Devon Meadows and did well to restrict them to 138. At 3/109 things didn’t look good but Ben Hussey 4/27 and Brayden Browne 3/34 produced great spells to restrict the Meadows.
In the run chase, captain Alex Nooy opened with a new partner Brad Taylor and this worked a treat as they put on 41 before Taylor was out for 15. But with Nooy going along beautifully eventually retiring on 51 the run chase was always in control.
Lawrence Kazinotti 15, Dillon Allen 18, Jack Sparkes 15 and Ryan Little 13 not out all made great contributions as Cardinia reached the target in the 33rd over with eight wickets down.
Well done to man of the match and captain Alex Nooy and coach Ricky Campbell for their efforts this year.
UNDER 15
Cardinia under-15s were well beaten by Beaconsfield in a disappointing effort. Batting first Cardinia only managed 113 with Cameron Brown 18, Angus McNabb 15 and Caleb Boswell 11 the only batsmen to reach double figures.
Beaconsfield reached the target in the 32nd over for the loss of four wickets. Over all, a great season from this team, topped up with four under-13 players, and it did very well to play off for the flag.
Thanks to Brad Drews and Pat Nolen for their coaching bigger and better thing to come for this bunch of young Bulls.
UNDER 13
The under-13s took out this year’s premiership against Officer.
Bowling first, Cardinia bowled Officer out for 108 in the 34th over.
Wickets were shared with Cam Brown, Wayne Linford and Brady Boswell taking two apiece.
In the run chase, the Bulls were always in control not losing a wicket until the score reached 78.
Travis Wheller 27, Cam Brown 30 retired and Matt Welsh 32 did the job for Cardinia as the target was reached in the 30th over.
A tremendous year from the boys and our two young girls and thanks to Brady Welsh for his coaching.
CLUB NOTES
Thanks to senior coach Mark Cooper for another successful season at Cardinia and – blooding four or five juniors into Premier league – all goes well for the future.
Presentation night is 2 April at Cardinia followed by Sunday 3 April for the under-15s and under-13s.
Three premierships this season for Cardinia was a great reward for our hard working committee, players, supporters and loyal sponsors.