Doveton batsman Rhys Barker (above) skies a ball from Cranbourne captain-coach Ross Woodall on Saturday … and is duly caught by Cranbourne opening batsman Brad Angus (above left).
By Marc McGowan
BERWICK enjoyed its introduction to 2007 and returned to its winning ways with a vengeance after an upset loss in the final round before Christmas.
The Bears sit 10 points clear of second-placed Buckley Ridges in top position.
In other Turf One matches, Cranbourne thumped Doveton to end its run of outs and Narre Warren showed more of its early season form in defeating Keysborough.
@BT Sub Sport News:TURF ONE
Berwick d Dandenong West
BERWICK made amends for its shock loss to Keysborough before the Christmas break by inflicting a seven-wicket thrashing on Dandenong West at Arch Brown Reserve on Saturday.
Dandenong West batted first and was on the back foot from the outset when Bears captain-coach Will Carr (2/16) removed Shane Larner (seven runs).
The Bears continued to sink their teeth into the opposition and had Dandenong West at 3/33 before some rearguard action from Shannon Marum (66), who hit his second consecutive half-century and Greg Siwes (31) put the innings back on track.
Their side eventually reached 7/191 from its 40 overs, but it was never going to be enough against the ladder leaders.
Despite missing star all-rounder Ash Henry, the Bears rumbled past the meagre total with eight overs to spare, with Alecs Roberts (94) and Gavan Wills (58) doing the majority of the work.
@BT Sub Sport News:
Cranbourne d Doveton
CRANBOURNE welcomed the New Year with a resurgence in form to thump Doveton by seven wickets at Robinson Reserve on the weekend.
The two sides had been heading in different directions before the break, with Doveton surging towards the top four, whereas the Eagles had slumped to two straight losses.
Doveton toiled hard at the start of its innings and the hard work appeared to be paying off when it moved to 3/122.
Cranbourne fought back, however, and snared 5/21 to strangle its opponents before ending the innings in the 39th over for 174.
The Eagles had no such worries in the chase, storming to 1/97, with a slashing partnership of 76 from Daniel Hunt (51) and captain-coach Ross Woodall (48) setting the foundations.
Steven Hall (29 not out) and Daniel Diwell (23 not out) completed the rout with an unbeaten 33-run alliance.
@BT Sub Sport News:Narre Warren d Keysborough
NARRE Warren recorded its second consecutive win by comfortably accounting for Keysborough by 25 runs at Keysborough Reserve on Saturday.
The Magpies assembled 7/178, with solid contributions from all-rounder Vinay Tripathi (45), Chris Pentland (36 not out) and captain-coach Wendell Perumal (31).
Keysborough made a spirited start to reach 64 without loss.
It proved to be its final notable union, with consistent wickets tumbling before eventually succumbing for 153.
Pentland backed up his performance with the bat with the impressive figures of 5/29 and was ably supported by Chris Jarrett (4/33).
@BT Sub Sport News:TURF TWO
Maranatha Methodist d Hampton Park
MARANATHA Methodist remains firm in second spot after a two-wicket victory against Hampton Park at Booth Reserve on the weekend.
Clinton Gilpin (38) and Thor Nancarrow (28) headlined Hampton Park’s batting effort as it scratched its way to 173 before being bowled out eight balls before the end of its innings.
Gary Plunkett was the bowling star with a spell of 4/20 from just 5.4 overs.
Jeff Thom (57) was the rock at the top of the order for Maranatha Methodist and it needed every one of his runs to reach the target, with the rest of the batting line-up struggling.
Youngster Shane Goldfinch (23 not out) entered the fray at 4/109 and saw Thom fall seven runs later.
Despite several teammates coming and going, Goldfinch held steady and took his side to success.
@BT Sub Sport News:HSD d Berwick
HSD rolled Berwick by four wickets at Reedy Reserve on Saturday to consolidate its top four standing.
Berwick made an impressive start to its innings and roared to 1/110 before an amazing collapse saw it bowled out for only 144.
Brad Molineux (53) and Robert Chilver (48) had reason to be disappointed with their teammates’ effort as only one other batsman cracked double figures.
Ben Doran snared 5/16 off eight overs to take the bowling honours.
The trend continued in HSD’s innings where only Michael Davies (67 not out) was able to collar the bowling, but it proved to be enough as it cruised to the win in just 29 overs.
@BT Sub Sport News:Hallam Kalora Park d Doveton North
HALLAM Kalora Park confirmed its third placing with an emphatic seven-wicket triumph over Doveton North at Power Reserve on the weekend.
Doveton North’s top-order batsmen made starts, but Lee Brown (6/33) destroyed the line-up and it stumbled to 9/157 at the end of its 40 overs.
Hallam Kalora Park all-rounder Steven Chapman (four) and Cory Booth (three) were removed in quick fashion in reply and Stick Buhar (23) was out on 69, but those were the only wickets to fall.
John Hammond (72 not out) and Gary Davidson (47 not out) slammed unbeaten knocks in a 92-run stand to carry their side to victory.
@BT Sub Sport News:Fountain Gate d North Dandenong
FOUNTAIN Gate leap-frogged North Dandenong on the ladder after a nailbiting four-wicket win at Lois Twohig Reserve on Saturday.
Craig Leonard was North Dandenong’s best with the bat with an unbeaten 66, while Andrew Doherty made 25, as their side managed 8/183 in its 40 overs.
Four bowlers took multiple wickets, with Cameron Knight and Shane Chatterton both capturing 2/26.
It was a more even performance from the Fountain Gate batsmen, although Brad Francis (59) was crucial in establishing the total.
David Cranfield-Thompson (35) and Bruce Mullen (31 not out) were also pivotal and Fountain Gate took the points with two overs remaining.
