Berwick opener Paul Evans scored 36 as the Bears triumphed over reigning premier Springvale South on Saturday.By Paul Pickering
IN a double dose of Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) action last weekend, Berwick stormed into top spot on the Turf One ladder with a pair of comprehensive victories.
The Bears dethroned the previously undefeated reigning premiers Springvale South with a famous win at Sweeney Reserve.
Games were scheduled on Saturday and Sunday in a bid to catch up on a full round that was washed out late last year.
And despite persistent showers throughout the weekend, results were salvaged from all 12 matches.
@BT Sub Sport News:SATURDAY
The anticipated top-of-the-table clash between Springvale South and Berwick was reduced to 32 overs, with Berwick winning the toss and taking guard against Springvale South’s much-vaunted pace attack.
Despite a 49-run opening stand from English all-rounder Alex Roberts (17) and Paul Evans (36), Berwick crashed to 7/115 before keeper Brad Molineux’s unbeaten 31 guided his team to a competitive total of 8/156.
In response, Springvale South’s top order struggled to see off some quality seam bowling, with only Andrew Sharp (48 not out) looking comfortable at the crease.
Berwick’s Cam Henry was the chief destroyer, taking 4/18 as Springvale South was skittled for 137 in the 30th over.
Meanwhile, on a day of upsets, St Mary’s lost by a solitary run against Dandenong West at Carroll Reserve, with Bulls quick Glen Scales taking 4/20 to restrict the Saints to 9/171 from their 32 overs.
At Robinson Reserve, Buckley Ridges fell agonising short of Doveton’s 8/124 in another dramatic run chase.
Glen Lothian was the saviour for the Doves, taking 3/27 as Ridges could only reach 9/120 from its allotted 28 overs.
At Coomoora Reserve, Roos skipper Rohan Paulpillai (40) led his team to 9/153 from their 33 overs against Narre Warren, before seamer Dave Nutting took 4/21 to condemn the Magpies to a meagre 107 in reply.
In other games, Parkfield thrashed Keysborough by 93 runs and North Dandenong easily reeled in Cranbourne’s total of 97 at Lois Twohig Reserve.
@BT Sub Sport News:SUNDAY
Springvale South’s nightmare road double continued as it watched North Dandenong overhaul its modest total of 9/166.
It was playing coach Glenn Finkelde (51) and Shane Clark (38 not out) who steered North Dandenong home with seven balls up their sleeve.
Meanwhile, Berwick cruised into top spot by chasing down Keysborough’s total of 5/174 with seven wickets and 15 balls to spare.
Gavan Wills (47 not out) and Paul Evans (42) orchestrated Berwick’s run chase perfectly, after Cam Henry had completed a successful weekend with figures of 2/33 with the ball.
At Greaves Reserve, visiting Buckley Ridges batted superbly on a lively deck to set Dandenong West a formidable target of 195.
David Irvine’s knock of 77 was the stand-out performance of the weekend, while team-mates Paul Rudd (3/28) and Westley Nicholas (3/30) did the damage with the ball as Dandenong West was dismissed for 137.
Elsewhere, Coomoora completed a successful weekend with a 76-run win over Parkfield, while Cranbourne cruised past Narre Warren and St Mary’s defeated Doveton by six wickets.
