‘Wicket-wrecker’ Roberts

By Marc McGowan
ROUND five of the Dandenong District Cricket Association brought several stellar solo efforts – none more impressive than Berwick’s English import Alex Roberts’ haul of six wickets against North Dandenong on Saturday.
In Turf One, Berwick, Doveton and Narre Warren are in good positions in their clashes, but Cranbourne endured a long day in the field.
Turf Two followed the form guide, with Hallam-Kalora Park and HSD doing well, while Fountain Gate and Hampton Park continued to struggle.

@BT Sub Sport News:TURF ONE
Berwick v North Dandenong

The 2007-08 DDCA season is rapidly becoming the Alex Roberts show following another sensational performance by the all-rounder at Arch Brown Reserve on the weekend.
Berwick’s Roberts (6/32) joined former Panther fast bowler James Prendergast (3/45) in destroying North Dandenong for 184.
After scooting to an unbeaten 11 before the end of play, Roberts has now accumulated 307 runs at 153.5 and taken 16 wickets at 9.3.
The North Dandenong batsmen were no match for Roberts’ right-arm mediums, with only David Bell (53) and Carman Mapatuna (43) making significant scores.
The pair combined for an 81-run union to have North Dandenong 2/104 before it all came crashing down.
In the 11 overs remaining before stumps, the Bears lost just one wicket on their way to 1/36.

@BT Sub Sport News:Doveton v Keysborough

Not even a middle-order collapse could prevent Doveton from posting a strong total against Keysborough at Robinson Reserve on Saturday.
Led by quality knocks from Brett Polson (79) and inspirational former skipper Brad Downe (69), the Doves romped to 1/176.
But their 114-run partnership was almost ruined when Doveton lost 7/47 to slump to 8/223.
However, some late-order hitting from Nathan Wilson (30 not-out) restored the spark in the Doves’ day and took his side to 8/254.
Paul McDonald (3/59) and Mahshan Perera (3/86) were the catalysts for Keysborough’s comeback and returned the best figures for their team.

@BT Sub Sport News:Springvale South v Cranbourne

Reigning premiership captain Craig Slocombe (109) provided the headline act in a consummate batting performance from Springvale South at Alex Nelson Reserve on Saturday.
Slocombe led successive partnerships of 97 and 96 with Steve Masterson (32) and Peter Ryan (42) to establish a formidable platform of 2/193.
When the skipper eventually fell to the bowling of Steve Miller (3/109), Andrew Sharp (59) and Danny Law (33) ensured that the Springvale South juggernaut rolled on.
While Cranbourne’s Matt Moore (5/75) minimised the damage, the Eagles will be at long odds to chase down a total of 351 this weekend.

@BT Sub Sport News:Narre Warren v Dandenong West

After electing to bat and losing both openers cheaply, Narre Warren recovered to post a total of 9/294 against lowly Dandenong West.
Shean Vanderwert (68) led the revival, while the trio of Chris Jarrett, John Simpson and Shane Simpson were all dismissed in the thirties.
Magpie all-rounder Dave Wheeler (34 not out) survived unbeaten at stumps.
For the Bulls, Rhett McDonald (2/36), Alan Campbell (2/43) and Glen Scales (2/46) all played a part with the ball, leaving it up to their batsman to effect an unlikely victory this Sunday.

@BT Sub Sport News:TURF TWO
Fountain Gate v Lyndale

Fountain Gate faces an uphill climb against Lyndale after a disappointing day at Max Pawsey Reserve on the weekend.
With captain-coach Rory Ingram (96) leading the way, Lyndale recovered from 5/65 to produce a competitive 241.
Gloveman Aaron O’Dath (33) and opener David McCarthy (30) also made solid contributions.
Fountain Gate’s Nick Scanlon continued his hot form, this time with the ball, snaring 3/44.
If Lyndale’s total was not imposing enough for the brittle Fountain Gate line-up, the latter also lost three late wickets – all from the bowling of Michael Gallagher (3/27) – for just 42 runs by the end of play.

@BT Sub Sport News:Hallam-Kalora Park v Springvale South

The suddenly lethal attack of Hallam-Kalora Park conspired to rout Springvale South for 172 at Hallam Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
After skittling Berwick for 117 and then 8/100 last round, Hallam-Kalora Park and new spearhead Sediq Shiryar (2/38) were at it again.
And despite failing to claim a scalp at Turf Three level, Sean McLaughlin (3/9) was a star in his Turf Two season debut to lead the onslaught.
English veteran Steve Chapman capped Hallam-Kalora Park’s great afternoon by smashing a quickfire, undefeated 41.
The home team lost Nick Cox (5) along the way, but Liam Simpson (12 not-out) picked up the slack as Hallam-Kalora Park finished the day on 1/60 off 14 overs.

@BT Sub Sport News:Southern Pirates v HSD

In one of the most anticipated games of the year, early season leader HSD has the edge over Turf One demotees the Southern Pirates at Wachter Reserve.
HSD has muscled past most opponents this season, but after winning the toss it slumped to 8/101.
Then came the fireworks, as HSD captain-coach Doug Loudon (94 not out) belted 12 fours and five sixes to almost single-handedly lift his club, with support from fellow all-rounder Paul Stockdale (20).
Pirates Stuart Dalton (3/34), Jay Kanahara (3/38) and Peter Atkinson (3/63) did the bulk of the damage with the leather to bowl HSD out for 216.
Ben Doran (2/19) made almost immediate inroads in the Southern innings, reducing it to 2/7, before a recovery from the Pirates moved them to 2/52.
But Southern lost two wickets on the same score before eventually finishing on 4/58 at stumps.

@BT Sub Sport News:Hampton Park v St Brigid’s-St Louis

Hampton Park’s horror season received another chapter on the weekend with another meek effort with the bat at Booth Reserve.
The Redbacks, backing up after making 49 the weekend before, started in the worst possible fashion by losing a wicket before scoring.
A slight recovery ensued, as they moved to 2/62, but moments later they were 5/62 and in tatters.
Hampton Park finally succumbed for 137, leaving much work to do with the ball.
Doug Mulholland and Daniel Redfern did their best with a wicket apiece, but at 3/56, St Brigid’s-St Louis will expect to complete the job on Saturday.