By Marc McGowan and Paul Pickering
IN A rain-marred opening to the Dandenong District Cricket Association, just three and two matches were played in Turf One and Two respectively.
In Turf One action, Doveton made a good start to its clash with Narre Warren, reigning premier Springvale South batted newcomers Coomoora into submission, and North Dandenong is clearly in charge against Parkfield.
@BT Sub Sport News:TURF ONE
Narre Warren v Doveton
A TON by former skipper Brad Downe has Doveton in a strong position after day one of its encounter with Narre Warren at Sweeney Reserve on Saturday.
Downe (105 runs) and Ryan Hendy (47) combined for a 69-run fourth-wicket partnership and Daniel Raines chipped in 30 to steer the Doves to 9/243.
David Wheeler, in his first game for the Magpies, was easily Narre Warren’s best with the ball in picking up 4/73 off 30 economical overs.
Doveton captain-coach Glen Lothian was pleasantly surprised with his side’s total.
“We’re very happy – that’s what we’ve been working towards all pre-season but we’re only half done and we’ll need to finish the job next week,” he said.
“The pitch was pretty ordinary … we would have been happy with 150 to 180 (runs) at the start of the day, so we’re quite happy to go on with it.”
@BT Sub Sport News:Springvale South v Coomoora
Reigning premier Springvale South gave Turf Two champions Coomoora an inhospitable welcome back to Turf One, making road-kill of the Roos on its way to a total of 7/360 at stumps.
Springvale South openers Craig Slocombe (103) and Steve Masterson (79) ensured a nightmare start for Coomoora, blasting their way to a 199-run first-wicket partnership.
Coomoora captain-coach Rohan Paulpillai finally stopped the rot, claiming the prized scalp of his opposite number, Slocombe, before Masterson was run out by Andrew King shortly after.
After losing 4/26, the middle-order trio of Sharp (52), Quirk (41) and Simmons (32) helped Springvale South to an imposing total of 360.
The Roos’ bowling attack had little to celebrate, with all six single-wicket takers receiving some punishment.
Paulpillai was the Roos’ most economical option, taking 1/32 off 12 overs, while Robert Johnston toiled admirably for his 1/71 from 20.
@BT Sub Sport News:
Parkfield v North Dandenong
After reaching the semi-finals last season, North Dandenong delivered an early warning to Turf One batsmen, skittling Parkfield for just 85 runs on Saturday.
Wayne Taylor was the chief destroyer for North Dandenong, taking 4/31 in 16.4 overs.
The only legitimate resistance came from Grant Milnes (22) and John O’Hare (29), who added 36 before the fall of the third wicket.
Any thoughts Parkfield had of a rearguard action were quashed by the introduction of Glen Pepper.
Pepper, who came into the attack to team with Taylor in his second spell, finished with the astonishing figures of eight overs, four maidens, 3/7.
Earlier, David Bell had shown impeccable control with the new ball, bowling five maidens in his eight overs to snare 1/8.
In response, North Dandenong openers Glenn Finkelde (27) and Shane Clark (16) grafted their way to 0/44 in 21 overs before stumps, leaving just 41 runs to get on Saturday to secure the victory.
@BT Sub Sport News:TURF TWO
North Dandenong v Hampton Park
HAMPTON Park will chase an outright victory when its fixture with North Dandenong at Lois Twohig Reserve continues this weekend.
North Dandenong struggled from the outset and lost wickets consistently, with Blair Reynolds (23) leading just three players in double figures.
Hampton Park president Ron Thouliss was delighted to wrap up first innings points only halfway through the contest.
“To be honest, I was a bit surprised. I knew we would beat North Dandy but to beat them in one day was very good,” he said.
“I dare say, a win’s a win. We’ll take every day as it comes.”
