Parkfield’s Greg Fox (6) was unable to keep out this peach from Berwick opening bowler Simon Cornell (2/35) in the teams’ Turf One clash at Parkfield Reserve on Saturday.By Marc McGowan
THE finals battle has reached fever point with several sides’ chances coming down to this weekend after a blockbuster Saturday of Dandenong District Cricket Association action.
@BT Sub Sport News:TURF ONE
Narre Warren v Cranbourne
Narre Warren’s hopes of playing in the Turf One finals for the first time became even more unlikely after a forgettable day against Cranbourne at Sweeney Reserve on Saturday.
Despite bowling Cranbourne out inside the first day, the Magpies still conceded 237 runs and then fell to 2/33 by stumps.
It could have been different for Narre Warren after restricting the Eagles to 6/94 before Daniel Diwell (45) was joined by Shane Murdoch (91 not out) to energise the Cranbourne innings.
In reply, Jonathan West (1/13) snared the early wicket of Dimitri Dimakopoulos (4) when the score was 9 before Dwayne Thompson (14) had his stumps uprooted by Andrew Toan (1/4) to make it 2/29.
@BT Sub Sport News:Springvale South v Doveton
Doveton put in a good day one performance against Springvale South at Alex Nelson Reserve.
Coming up against the fourth-placed Bloods, the Doves quickly slumped to 2/15 before Ryan Hendy (114) belted his first ton of the season.
He combined firstly with Robert Turner (20) for 102 runs then added 80 with Corrie Wilson (38) to launch his side to 245.
Springvale South flew to 1/37 in the nine overs before the end of play with captain Craig Slocombe (20) making the bulk of the total.
@BT Sub Sport News:Parkfield v Berwick
Parkfield will be bowling for its life this weekend after setting 7/259 against Berwick at Parkfield Reserve on Saturday.
Berwick poured on the pressure from the start and restricted its opposition to 4/36.
Parkfield is a good side, however, and fought its way back into the contest courtesy of a quality 155-run partnership between captain Dale Harris (98) and Tony Payne (57).
The team stumbled twice more on 191, but John O’Hare (32 not out) and Daniel Ferguson (28 not out) collated a 68-run stand to give their side’s finals chances a heartbeat.
Simon Cornell (2/35) and Ash Henry (2/70) were the multiple wicket-takers for Berwick.
@BT Sub Sport News:TURF TWO
Hallam Kalora Park v Springvale South
Hallam Kalora Park announced its title intentions with a crushing first innings win over Springvale South at Hallam Recreation Reserve on the weekend.
It will push for its first outright victory of the season when the lopsided tussle resumes on Saturday.
Springvale South batted first and was rolled by the Hallam Kalora Park bowlers for 103 with only Steven Masterson (38) and Ben Goodey (22) reaching double figures.
Hallam Kalora Park had no such trouble in reply, storming to 2/152 on the back of John Hammond’s unbeaten 49 and white-hot captain Cory Booth’s 44 not out.
Booth’s scorching form with the bat has him averaging 134 over his last four innings.
@BT Sub Sport News:HSD v Maranatha Methodist
HSD has given itself a fighting shot at finals action with a stellar bowling performance against Maranatha Methodist at Reedy Reserve on Saturday.
Maranatha Methodist currently owns fourth place ahead of Springvale South and HSD.
The latter’s stunning revival over the past few weeks continued after Maranatha Methodist appeared to be cruising at 1/87.
The dismissal of star all-rounder Warren Dickson (37) triggered a stunning collapse as his side was bowled out for 176.
HSD made solid progress before losing its first wicket at 25 and then a second at 31 before finishing on 2/37.
@BT Sub Sport News:Doveton North v Hampton Park
Doveton North saved its best for last with a mammoth batting display against fellow struggler Hampton Park at Power Reserve on the weekend.
The bottom-placed club set the tone from the beginning with a 99-run opening union between Adrian Menara (107) and captain Kevin O’Donnell (21).
The coming out party was not over yet as Alan Campbell (125) joined Menara over the century mark and Steven Russell knocked up 43 to help the side to 354.
Part-timer Wayne Ellis (2/12) snared the best figures for Hampton Park.
@BT Sub Sport News:Coomoora v Fountain Gate
Fountain Gate met its match when it faced ladder leader Coomoora at Coomoora Reserve on Saturday.
Coomoora was solid rather than its scintillating self with the bat, compiling a workmanlike 203 with Brad Barlow the stand-out with 62.
Fountain Gate’s starting attack of Scott Mather (5/71) and Nick Scanlon (3/37) was the prime reason their opposition was unable to break the shackles.
The excitement at restricting Coomoora to the unremarkable total was short-lived as Dean Wolfe (duck) was removed before Fountain Gate had scored.
The team lost another wicket before reaching double figures and when Matt Wenke (2/20) claimed his second wicket, Fountain Gate was 3/22.
Fortunately for Fountain Gate, Dylan Bracebridge (18 not out) and Stephen White (12 not out) were able to prevent further damage to leave their side on 3/58 at stumps.
