Berwick captain Alex Roberts was out cheaply for the second consecutive round on Saturday, but still boasts an outstanding average of 73 from his 10 innings this season.By Marc McGowan and Paul Pickering
THE Dandenong District Cricket Association’s final round began with many finals spots still up for grabs, but after day one results most interest has turned to who will be relegated from Turf One.
Doveton and Dandenong West are at the centre of the battle at Robinson Reserve.
If the Doves can chase down the Bulls’ total this weekend, it is Dandenong West who will achieve the dubious honour.
But if the Bulls can knock off Doveton, the Doves, Coomoora and Keysborough – who posted a solid score against Narre Warren – will all be vulnerable.
@BT Sub Sport News:TURF ONE
Berwick v Coomoora
Berwick looks set to enter the finals on a high after smacking a big total against Coomoora at Arch Brown Reserve on Saturday.
The brilliant Gavan Wills (86) sparkled again, but was overshadowed by a great knock from Paul Evans (93) as the Bears posted 6/301.
Star all-rounder Alex Roberts (13) missed out for the second week running and when fellow opener Justin Stanton joined him in the pavilion, Berwick was wobbling at 2/61.
But Wills and Evans compiled a magnificent 156-run third-wicket partnership that was only ruined by the fact neither batsman managed to reach triple figures.
From there handy contributions from Ryan Crawford (35) and Brad Molineux (25 not out) capped the Bears’ effort.
David Nutting (3/58) was the pick of Coomoora’s bowlers.
Doveton v Dandenong West
With both sides fighting to avoid relegation, Doveton and Dandenong West produced an ugly encounter at Robinson Reserve on the weekend.
The bottom-placed Bulls won the toss and batted, but only David Dryden (30), captain Alan Campbell (29) and Anthony Brannan (18) reached double digits.
Ultimately the Doves dismissed Dandenong West for a dismal 127 after the Bulls lost a steady stream of wickets.
Gun Doveton all-rounder Ryan Hendy (4/25) shared the wickets with Corrie Wilson (3/50) and Brad Downe (2/23).
In response, the Doves were not much better, losing Garrick Wiramanaden and Robert Turner before stumps.
But at 2/33 and with Downe still at the crease, Doveton looks likely to send Dandenong West down to Turf Two.
Narre Warren v Keysborough
Needing an outright victory to vault into the top four, Narre Warren’s hopes were all but crushed by a 120-run third-wicket stand between Keysborough’s Shiran Rajukarana (81) and Nalin Wijesinghe (53) at Sweeney Reserve on Saturday.
The partnership guided Keysborough to a total of 253, while Magpies seamer John Simpson claimed 4/56 with the ball.
Keysborough – sitting in second-last place – can now fight off relegation by claiming the points on Saturday, while only a miracle could see the Magpies ascend into the four from seventh place.
Parkfield v Cranbourne
A two-man pace assault from Cranbourne’s Shane Murdoch and Matt Moore reduced Parkfield to a mediocre total of 153 on the weekend.
The pair combined to dismiss all 10 Bears batsmen, bowling 67 of the Eagles’ 79 overs for the innings.
Murdoch churned out career-best figures of 6/77 from an astonishing 32 overs, while Moore claimed 4/35 from his 25.
For the Bears, it was only an 87-run fifth-wicket stand from Tony Payne (50) and Dale Harris (34) that gave the home side some sort of total to bowl at.
In reply, the Eagles quickly fell to 3/15 at stumps, with Hemantha Alles claiming 2/8 from five dangerous overs to set up an exciting second day.
@BT Sub Sport News:
TURF TWO
Fountain Gate v North Dandenong
Despite starting favourite for one of the few times this season, Fountain Gate made hard work of its clash with the winless North Dandenong at Max Pawsey Reserve on Saturday.
North Dandenong sent Fountain Gate in and rolled the home team for a measly 124.
A large amount of the credit has to go to Wayne Taylor, who snared 6/27 off 12.1 overs.
Cory Wilson (67) played a lone hand for Fountain Gate.
But in sight of its first points of the summer, North Dandenong showed once again why it has been so uncompetitive this season.
In a meek batting display, the visitors slumped to 5/55 off 33 overs and face being clean swept by the grade when the fixture continues on the weekend.
Hallam-Kalora Park v Hampton Park
Keen not to find itself in another tight outing, Hallam-Kalora Park plundered Hampton Park at Hallam Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
Openers Steve Chapman (113) and Leigh Booth (66) set the tone at with a 134-run union.
It was Chapman’s third ton of the season and sixth overall, highlighting a scoreboard also bolstered by captain-coach Cory Booth’s 61.
Hallam-Kalora Park wound up amassing 3/274 by the end of play to set the lowly Redbacks a task they are unlikely to be up to.
Michael Taylor (1/30), Daniel Redfern (1/38) and Doug Mulholland (1/42) claimed one scalp apiece.
Maranatha Methodist v HSD
HSD will aim to continue its unbeaten season when it continues its game with Maranatha Methodist at Strathaird Reserve on the weekend.
It made a wonderful start to this goal by carving an impressive 358 from just 66 overs.
The in-form Corey Hojnacki (102 not out) clobbered his debut Turf Two century and second overall of the season, to lead the batting exploits.
He was not alone in the runs, with the explosive Scott Brandon (52), captain Doug Loudon (41), all-rounder James van Elewoud (39) and opener Trevor Davies (34) also having an impact.
HSD’s performance came despite Maranatha Methodist’s English star Paul Goodchild (7/70) registering his second five-wicket haul in his debut DDCA season.
Loudon pocketed a wicket before stumps to leave Maranatha Methodist at 1/14 and with a tough run chase ahead.
