Above: Dave Wheeler’s magnificent start to his Narre Warren career continued on Saturday, with his five Buckley Ridges victims giving him 12 in three matches.By Marc McGowan
THE weather threatened to ruin another weekend of the Dandenong District Cricket Association, but ultimately the majority of teams were able to manage significant play.
It was an up-and-down start to round three for the locals in Turf One, with Cranbourne defeated in average batting conditions and Narre Warren in a dogfight with fellow finals contender Buckley Ridges.
Berwick has the upper hand against Doveton.
Turf Two was affected by the rain during the week, with the Hallam Kalora Park-Southern Pirates clash managing little action, while not even one ball was possible in Fountain Gate’s encounter with Maranatha Methodist.
In the games that were played, HSD was impressive again, but Hampton Park looks set for a flogging from Springvale South.
@BT Sub Sport News:TURF ONE
Buckley Ridges v Narre Warren
With the score 2/0 and then 3/13, Narre Warren skipper Wendell Perumal’s decision to send Buckley Ridges in to bat at Park Oval was looking good for the Magpies on Saturday.
But Steve Pennock (122) arrived at the crease to orchestrate a gusty rear-guard action, combining firstly with Ruwan Jayadeva (37) and then Basil Hobkirk (28) to salvage a more than respectable first innings total of 238.
Having resurrected the innings, Pennock was eventually trapped by Magpie speedster Dave Wheeler with the score at 9/229.
Wheeler claimed an impressive 6/66 in 19.3 overs, with John Simpson (2/35) and Shane Simpson (1/36) chipping in to ensure a steady flow of wickets throughout the afternoon.
In reply, Narre Warren survived an awkward five-over twilight session to be 0/7 at stumps on day one.
Berwick v Doveton
Berwick is on its way to success over Doveton after making a good start to its gettable run chase at Arch Brown Reserve on the weekend.
Doves captain-coach Glen Lothian elected to bat and Brad Downe (32) in particular rollicked out of the blocks as the team cruised to 0/47.
But disaster struck soon after as Bears captain Ash Henry (2/60) provided the breakthrough before Alex Roberts (6/24) claimed the next four wickets to leave Doveton 5/52.
The stunning collapse became 7/75 moments later, but Sean Paynter (65 not out) and Nathan Wilson (40) managed to stop the rot with a 60-run alliance.
Wilson’s dismissal was quickly followed by wicketkeeper Mark Mott, but Paynter found another willing ally in number 11 Lothian (31).
They dragged the total to 209, but considering the capability of the tail order and the strong beginning, it was a disappointing score.
The Bears reached 0/26 in nine overs before stumps.
Dandenong West d Cranbourne
Despite another brilliant performance from Shane Murdoch, Cranbourne succumbed by three wickets to Dandenong West in a low-scoring tussle at Greaves Reserve on Saturday.
Murdoch’s hot streak continued with an unbeaten 34 and figures of 3/21 to carry his side to the brink of victory.
Jason Hameeteman (17) was the only other Eagle to reach double digits as Cranbourne mustered just 82.
Bulls openers Mark Winter (11) and Matthew Sofoulis (7) reached 20 without loss in reply, but the wickets began to tumble.
Paul Ferrari-Mela (4/30) and Matthew Moore (2/31) claimed two wickets apiece to restrict Dandenong West to 4/26. A recovery ensued, but another collapse saw Dandenong West fall to 7/66, and the Eagles were suddenly in with a chance.
However, Shannon Marum (25) stepped in to steady the ship and guide his side to the triumph.
@BT Sub Sport News:TURF TWO
HSD v St Brigid’s-St Louis
An impatient HSD put itself in prime position to thump St Brigid’s-St Louis and remain undefeated at Reedy Reserve on the weekend.
Twenty eight fours and eight sixes delivered HSD a score of 248, which was worth much more by the end of play. The brutal bat of Scott Brandon accumulated 86, while a bevy of his team-mates made starts.
St Brigid’s-St Louis began well, but, as was the trend in the DDCA, it came crashing down.
Only the openers reached double figures as Michael Davies (2/6) and Ben Doran (2/11) ran through their opposition.
At 6/57, St Brigid’s-St Louis faces an uphill battle to stave off outright defeat.
Springvale South v Hampton Park
A lone hand from Englishman Doug Mulholland could not save Hampton Park from posting a disappointing total against Springvale South at Alex Nelson Reserve on Saturday.
Mulholland cracked an undefeated 76, while Thor Nancarrow (36) and Stephen Boltong (31) made contributions, but it was a miserable scorecard for the Redbacks as they stumbled to 161. While the pitch appeared to be full of demons for Hampton Park, there was no such trouble for the Bloods as they slashed almost half of the run chase by stumps.
David Grainge retired hurt on 37, but Tim Ford (29 not out) and Graeme Rainer (2 not out) saw Springvale South to 0/75 when day one came to an end.
