By Gavin Staindl
THE top Dandenong and District Cricket Association turf teams showed no signs of a Christmas hangover, blasting their way to wins in the weekend’s one-dayers.
Of the top five turf one and turf two teams, four came away with six points.
TURF ONE
@BT Sub Sport News:HALLAM-KALORA PARK v SPRINGVALE SOUTH
When Hallam-Kalora Park’s Cory Booth decides to stick around in the middle, usually it leads to something good and on Saturday Booth’s ton guided Hallam to a 107-run win over Springvale South at Alex Nelson Reserve.
In the last two seasons Booth has averaged 92 runs during winning games, meaning when Booth does well so does Hallam-Kalora Park. Booth’s contribution was invaluable once again as his even 100 led Hallam-Kalora Park to a first innings total of 5/220.
Springvale South in response was bowled out for a cheap 113.
@BT Sub Sport News:BERWICK v DANDENONG WEST
The Berwick lower order has been kept busy this summer and at Arch Brown Reserve they were again called upon to rescue the league leaders.
Chasing 144, Berwick fell to 4/38 before Ryan Crawford (34) and Col Tucker (49) batting at sixth and seventh steadied.
Berwick went on to win by three wickets.
@BT Sub Sport News:BUCKLEY RIDGES v NARRE WARREN
Buckley Ridges held off a spirited Narre Warren to claim its fourth win of the season at Sweeney Reserve. Defending 139, the winless Narre Warren had last year’s premier on the ropes at 3/36 but a fine innings by Buckley Ridge’s Daniel Watson (58) thwarted any chance of the season’s biggest upset.
@BT Sub Sport News:DOVETON v PARKFIELD
It wasn’t pretty but Doveton held onto a fragile first innings total at Parkfield Reserve to record it’s third win of the season.
The vulnerable total of 111 was well guarded by Doveton’s Matt Hutchinson (5-12) who ripped through the top order and collected two catches as Doveton survived for a 16-run win.
TURF TWO
@BT Sub Sport News:CRANBOURNE v HSD
Cranbourne has snuck in a much-needed win against HSD to remain in the top four heading into the last half of the season.
In response to HSD’s 144, Cranbourne controlled proceedings but a steady loss of wickets and a string of tight bowling late in the day p5revented the fourth-placed Cranbourne from running away with the match.
With three overs remaining and only two wickets left in the shed, ex-Sub-District cricketer Richard Saniga (32 not out) provided the steady hand that gave Cranbourne the win two balls before stumps.
@BT Sub Sport News:FOUNTAIN GATE v SOUTHERN PIRATES
As Fountain Gate and Southern Pirates emerged from the Christmas break equal last on the ladder, both teams understood the significance of Saturday’s game.
Inspired by the challenge of advancing from the cellar, the Southern Pirates scored 9/174 – their second-highest total in all forms of the game for the season.
Fountain Gate responded with a similar enthusiasm, and with two balls to spare, the Gators, led by Nick Scanlon (27), clocked up their season’s third win.
@BT Sub Sport News:NARRE NORTH v MARANATHA METHODIST
Narre North has cruised to its third win of the season after easily dispatching Maranatha at Strathaird Reserve.
Maranatha struggled to 117 before Josh Tonna (50) led Narre North to 121 with seven wickets and seven overs intact.
@BT Sub Sport News:SPRINGVALE SOUTH v HAMPTON PARK
Hampton Park was left to rue a poor first innings after Springvale South limped to a two-wicket win at Booth Reserve.
Despite a decent run rate of over four an over, Hampton Park was reduced to a total of 128 after it was bowled out with 10 overs left in the innings. Making up for the poor batting performance, the Hampton Park bowlers had Springvale in trouble at 7/69 but could not take the final two wickets needed for the win.
