By David Nagel
RESULTS were split down the middle for the six Cranbourne region teams that took to the field on the weekend in round four of the West Gippsland Cricket Association (WGCA).
The highlight of the day was in the Sub-District Division where Clyde opening bowler, Patrick Lawson (6/25) helped his team join a four-way deadlock at the top of the ladder with a hard-fought away victory over Cardinia. Lawson took five consecutive middle-order wickets to help restrict the Bulls to 157 all out after earlier dominating with the bat.
David Denton (40) got Clyde’s run chase off to a promising start at 0/64, before a blast of wickets saw the score crash to 6/111. Nicholas Miles (42 not out) and Ian Knox (19 not out) rose to the occasion and guided Clyde home as they finished on 6/164 for a morale boosting victory.
Also in Sub-District, Tooradin played host to Cranbourne Meadows and it was a dominating display by the Seagulls.
Tooradin kept the visitors to 6/113cc as Sam Clarke (3/23) and Richard Holland (2/12) put the foot down early and showed no mercy. Lee Murdoch (50 not out) stopped the innings from turning into a total shambles. In reply, Tooradin flexed its substantial muscle, losing the single wicket of Justin Hinkley (28) as it cracked its way to 1/135 off 25 overs. Kane Latham (62 not out) and Dene North (32 not out) cruised along in first gear as the Seagulls moved into fourth spot on the ladder.
@BT Sub Sport News:PREMIER
Tooradin travelled to Kooweerup on Saturday and – on the back of Steve Hamill’s (4/20) blistering spell – had the hosts in all sorts of trouble at 7/80. Hamill ripped apart Koowee’s intimidating top order, but the Seagulls couldn’t finish off the job and ended up having to chase the Demons’ 8/174.
Tooradin couldn’t capitalise on several good starts throughout the innings, and in the end crumbled to be all out for 130, losing 6/22 at the end. Captain Aaron Avery (36), Brenton Adams (23) and league-leading run scorer, Tom Hussey (21) now have work to do as the Seagulls slip to fifth on the ladder.
@BT Sub Sport News:DISTRICT
Merinda Park remains undefeated after a crushing away victory over Nyora on Saturday. Jess Mathers (4/35) got the momentum train going his team’s way early as Brendan Fairlam (2/13) and Jason Pongracic (2/24) jumped on board for the ride.
Nyora’s 84 was never going to be enough and a solid opening partnership between Chris Smith (21) and Daniel McCalman (15) drove the nail in the coffin. Mathers (25 not out) and Pongracic (21 not out) wasted no time finishing off the job as Merinda Park finished on 2/91 off just 17 overs.
The Lyndhurst Vikings suffered an agonising defeat on Saturday as they just failed to chase down Catani’s 218 from last week. David Greensmith (58) backed up his two wickets with a fine half-century as the game hung in the balance all afternoon.
Mark Henry (43) and Martin Davies (33) made valuable contributions and at 8/202 the Vikings looked headed for victory. David Clifford (21) was ninth man out, and he was followed by Chris Slater as the home team finished on 210. It was a crucial loss for the Vikings who slip to fifth place on the ladder.
Second-placed Devon Meadows didn’t play against Nar Nar Goon due to inclement weather.
