After a comprehensive loss in round 1 against Springvale South, things have just gone from bad to worse for Hallam Kalora Park.
The Hawks, who were runner-up last season, are staring down the barrel of an outright defeat against Berwick in the second round of the DDCA Turf 1 competition.
Alarm bells must be ringing inside the camp of Hallam Kalora Park who have struggled, as the top order has failed to survive the new ball in both matches.
There is no doubt that Berwick, who finished third last season, is staking its claim to be a serious premiership contender, but the Hawks have been poor thus far.
The Bears lost the toss and were sent into bat first at Hallam Recreation Reserve on a wicket that was playing some tricks.
They lost opener Lachlan Brown (three) early, as well as Jake Hancock (two) and skipper Michael Wallace (duck) … things looked ominous.
But Jarryd Wills (53) and Vinuda Liyanage (56) stabilised as Toby Wills chipped in with 28 to push the score to 171 – all out after 44 overs as Lee Brown took 4/33 off 12 overs.
Berwick captain Wallace said it was pleasing to have a couple of players step up with the bat, in what was an “eventful day”.
“There were 23 wickets which fell on the day, we were sent in and there was a little bit in the wicket,” he said.
“We lost consistent wickets and were bowled out not long after tea, (Wills and Liyanage) provided a counterattack which got the score moving when it was tough out there.
“We were rolled for 171, which was probably similar to what we scored there last year, which was enough to win then, so we knew we were in the game.”
It was Hallam Kalora Park’s turn to bat, and they found the going much tougher than the Bears, losing three wickets inside the first nine overs.
Leigh Booth (12) and Jawid Khan (11) were the only Hawks to reach double figures, as they were bowled out for just 54 in 22 overs – four players making ducks.
Toby Wills was instrumental, taking 5/9 off five overs in an electric spell which included three LBWs, one bowled and one caught.
The Hawks had lost 5/2, and 7/12 as they slumped to one of the quicker Turf 1 defeats you will see in recent times.
“They have a lot of quality players having obviously made the grand final last year, so it was about trying to stick to bowling our areas as long as we can,” Wallace said.
“We knew there would be enough in the wicket to create chances … then Toby came on and just turned the game on its head.
“We definitely weren’t expecting it to go like that when we started with the ball, even taking the last five wickets so quickly, it was ridiculous to close it out like that.”
Having already secured the win, the Bears had clipped the wings of the Hawks, sending them back out to the centre wicket, searching for an outright victory.
Things were slow and while the Hawks weren’t scoring runs … more importantly, they hadn’t lost any wickets.
That changed late in the day when Wills took the ball and picked up where he left off, sending both Benjamin Hillard (three) and Booth (13) back to the sheds, leaving Hallam Kalora Park in all sorts of trouble at 3/18 at the end of the day.
“To get the chance to have another crack at them and have them three down already was great … we are in a really good position,” Wallace said.
“But they still have Jawid Khan, Damith Perera and Jordy Hammond, who are all dangerous and can score runs quickly, so who knows what will play out this weekend.”
Wallace said that despite wanting a more even contribution with the bat, he was pleased with the way the team had responded to some tough situations.
“The most pleasing thing is that when we have been challenged, we have found ways to keep fighting back,” he said.
“We have great bowling depth and if we play to our strengths, we are going to be competitive in every game this year and good enough to beat any team.
“That doesn’t mean we will win everyday, but we have the team that can.”
In other games, Buckley Ridges scored in excess of 260 for the second consecutive week, finishing with a strong total of 278 against Dandenong West.
While the Bulls’ opening bowlers Joel Zietsman (2/51) and Dinesh Kulasekara (3/40) worked hard, the Bucks just bat so deep.
They were 2/27 and had lost Dale Tormey (23) and Jayson Hobbs (two), who were their two leading scorers in round 1.
But Troy Aust (42 off 90 deliveries) and Ben Wright (69 off 116) dug in, helping Buckley Ridges get past 100, before Zietsman knocked over Aust.
The foundation allowed Ishan Jayarathna (59) and Michael Davies (33) to come in and play with freedom, both scoring at a strike rate greater than 100 to guide the Bucks to a big total.
Dandenong West had nine overs to bat on day one and they struggled as Jayarathna caused some problems, removing Nipunaka Fonseka and Nathan Power for ducks – leaving the Bulls at 2/26 with a very difficult run chase on their hands this weekend.
The match between Narre South and Springvale South currently hangs in the balance after the Lions made 210, with the Bloods currently 2/16 in the second innings.
The Bloods started well as Dasun Opanayaka, Nicholas Boland, Josh Dowling and Jarryd Straker all took early wickets.
Narre South looked like it could be in trouble with the scores sitting at 6/112 – with run scorers Kyle Hardy (48) and Jeevan Mendis (33) both back in the sheds.
But Adam Snelling came out at number eight and produced a scintillating knock of 74 off 77 balls (including four sixes) to breathe life back into the game and get his side to 210.
Boland (3/37), Blade Baxter (3/57) and Straker (2/27) were the multiple wicket takers on the day.
Springvale South batted for nine overs but wasn’t able to get through without loss as Ryan Quirk (six) and Chris Diston (duck) were both given out LBW in successive overs – Tom Arnold and Mendis with the breakthroughs.
At 2/16 with Mitch and Cam Forsyth at the crease, it is anyone’s game when the round 2 clash resumes this weekend.
Beaconsfield batter Ashan Walgamage scored a brilliant unbeaten century to guide the Tigers to a strong score of 5/278d against Parkmore Pirates.
Last season, the Sri Lankan left hander made two half centuries, but it’s fair to say this is his best knock in recent seasons, finishing on 136 not out.
Walgamage is the first centurion of the DDCA Turf 1 season and if his form is anything to go by, he will be a tough player to dismiss this season for Beaconsfield.
After losing a few early wickets, Walgamage, along with Karan Singh (34) and Mitchell Tielen (34 not out), came in clutch.
Parkmore batted for 15 overs on Saturday to finish at 3/16, looking at an inevitable loss, which could likely be an outright loss.
TURF 1 RESULTS (Day One)
R2 Results: Buckley Ridges 278 v Dandenong West 2/26, Narre South 210 v Springvale South 2/16, Berwick 171 v Hallam Kalora Park 54 & 3/18, Beaconsfield 5/278d v Parkmore Pirates 3/16.
