By Jonty Ralphsmith and Marcus Uhe
C GRADE
A majestic Darren Kneebone 198 was the highlight of Casey Cardinia lower grades action in 12, with the middle-order batter thrusting Officer into a commanding position against Cardinia.
Arriving at the crease after the loss of three early wickets, Kneebone blended expansive strokeplay with hard running, playing his best cricket in partnership with Gareth McKinnon (63 not out).
Kneebone clattered 29 boundaries and one maximum at Heatherbrae Reserve as Officer made an imposing 8/368 at more than five an over.
An Adam Tucker century at better than a run a ball from number seven led Pakenham Upper Toomuc to 239 against Merinda Park despite six wickets to Adam Newstead, while Nathan Phillips’ 5/19 has Nar Nar Goon on the front foot at 2/82 chasing 129 against Kooweerup.
A GRADE
A Bradley Reiner century has propelled Cardinia to an ominous total of 8/292 in its clash with Pakenham.
Coming to the crease at 3/48, Reiner changed the complexion of the game, with a 103-run partnership with Justin Berry in particular critical in putting Cardinia on the front foot and tiring the Pakenham attack.
Jordan Seers picked up four wickets for Pakenham but went at an economy rate of almost five.
The match is in the balance at Tony Way Recreation Reserve, with a Thomas Hodge half century giving his side a sniff of an upset.
But a herculean bowling effort from Thomas Cairns thwarted the Merinda Park charge, with Cairns bowling the middle overs and picking up 6/22 off 17.3 to bowl the hosts out for 173.
Kooweerup, however, lost three wickets before stumps and still trail by 132.
Elsewhere, Tooradin was a class above Devon Meadows, bowling the Panthers out for 108 before a 98-run opening combination Cooper Shipp and Bailey Lownds helped them get the first innings points by stumps.
Half centuries to Josh Spittal and Roshan Bandara has Clyde nicely placed at 9/248 against Cranbourne Meadows.
B GRADE
Clyde’s clash with Pakenham is delicately poised overnight with the hosts reaching 4/228 at stumps at Ramlegh Reserve.
Shane Jack and John Simpson were the chief run-scorers, each passing 50 in a probing 86-run second innings partnership, which allowed Shane Webster and Pratham Patel to put the finishing flourish on the innings with some free stroke-making.
Upper Beaconsfield’s clash with Officer is similarly placed but the narrative of day one was much different.
Six of the Upper Beaconsfield batters’ top seven reached at least 16, with three passing 40, led by skipper Billy Gerrard-Kett, but no-one was able to give Upper Beaconsfield complete ascendancy as the Cooper Pursell-led Officer attack struck at crucial times.
Tooradin meanwhile, was skittled for 94 with Melbourne Sixers 1/40 in response.
D GRADE
Officer has the chance to push for an outright victory over Tooradin after ravaging the Seagulls with the ball on Saturday.
The Bullants have already secured first-innings points, with Tooradin only reaching 53 in 31.3 overs.
Tooradin’s final four wickets fell in the last 14 balls of the innings with the score stuck on 53.
Vishal Murugan took 4/7 to lead the Bullants’ attack, while the batters easily eclipsed the target, 93 runs ahead at stumps.
Pakenham’s Mitchell Kezik took 5/32 to roll Clyde for 177, duly supported by 4/39 from Tristan Sharp.
While wickets were shared evenly between Pakenham Upper Toomuc bowlers as they dismissed Merinda Park for 188, the Yabbies 16 runs into their chase at stumps.
Kirti Sharma led the Cobras with 45.
E GRADE
Pakenham Upper Toomuc’s Ryan Yeates played a lone hand for the Yabbies with an unbeaten hundred to save his side from trouble at Kooweerup.
Yeates came to the crease with the Yabbies battling at 4/43 and immediately lost his partner in Phillip Brook.
At 8/90, a thrashing looked on the cards, but Yeates found an ally in number 10 Bakhtayar Zalmay.
Zalmay hit 21 off 107 balls in a 91-run stand with Yeates, allowing Yeates to get to his hundred off 140 deliveries.
The visitors ate 9/198 at stumps.
Officer Gold is on the precipice of a monster upset win over the Kerala Strikers after making 8/232 on day one.
In a clash between first and ninth, with 78 points separating the two, it was the Bullants that looked the premier side, thanks to half-centuries from Jonathan Mendis and Ravindra Singh.
Elsewhere, Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll is 30 runs into a chase of 159 against Pakenham, while Devon Meadows is 1/0 in its pursuit of 184 against Merinda Park.
Cardinia and Officer Green’s clash was abandoned.
