By Stuart Teather
Dandenong. 24669
Picture:
Stewart Chambers
TURBULENT weather in the lead-up to Christmas saw the first day of the Dandenong District Cricket Association’s round six washed out, leaving the matches to be played as one-dayers on the final day before the holiday break.
It seemed some teams had one eye on the holidays with some brutal defeats throughout the round, with Turf Two team HSD putting on the most vicious display of all.
The top side wasted no time in their run chase, overhauling Buckley Ridges’ score in just 15.1 overs.
@BT Sub Sport News:TURF ONE
Springvale South v Berwick
The highlight of the round was undoubtedly the clash between league heavyweights Springvale South and Berwick, played at Springvale South’s Alex Nelson Reserve.
The home side won the toss and sent the visitors in, and struck early, removing opener Ashley Henry for one.
But regular batting stalwarts Brad Francis (36) and import Alecs Roberts (72) combined for 97 for the second wicket to put the side back on track.
When Francis fell, Roberts continued on but had almost no support from the rest of the side, and Berwick posted 9/160.
Steven Masterson (26) got the ball rolling at the top of the order for Springvale South, and Suranjith Silva (46 not out) and captain Craig Slocombe (33) got the job done, with the side overhauling the target with three overs to spare.
@BT Sub Sport News:Doveton v Cranbourne
Doveton took the points against Cranbourne at home after a solid performance with the bat and ball.
The home side posted 201 in its innings on the back of Shaun Tongue’s 49, with good support from Ryan Hendy (37) and Nathan Wilson (31 not out).
For Cranbourne, Kyle Brooke continued his form with the ball, taking three wickets to keep his average sharp at 16.2.
In reply, Cranbourne lacked a standout batsman with a number making starts, but none posting a big score, and the side was all out for 148 with an over to spare.
@BT Sub Sport News:North Dandenong v Hallam-Kalora Park
Hallam-Kalora Park continued its remarkable rise through the Turf One ranks with a solid victory over North Dandenong.
Hallam-Kalora Park was the only away side to claim a Turf One victory in round six, and it did so thanks to the bats of the two Booth boys. Leigh Booth played the openers’ role to perfection with 106, putting on a 135-run partnership with Craig (52), helping the side to a strong 3/201 off the 40 overs.
With such a big total to chase, the home side went hard but lost cheap wickets, and was never able to get any partnerships together.
In the end it took just 23.4 overs for the visitors to claim the 10 wickets, as North Dandenong collapsed for 78.
@BT Sub Sport News:Coomoora v Narre Warren
Coomoora dominated its clash against Narre Warren, with the win lifting the side out of danger near the bottom of the ladder.
Played at Coomoora Reserve, the visitors batted first and lost both openers for four runs, setting the tone for what would be a dark day.
It did not get any better, with the side at one stage 6/25, before the steadying hands of lower order batsmen Ruwantha Fernandopulle (20), David Wheeler (20) and Dwayne Scott (19) managed to help the side to 87 off 37 overs.
Justin Woodman (3/20 off 8) and Mevan Fernando (3/25 off 7) did the most damage with the ball.
In reply, it took the home side just 28 overs to overhaul the total, dropping two wickets on the way to taking six easy points.
@BT Sub Sport News:Parkfield v Keysborough
Parkfield smashed Keysborough at Parkfield Reserve, despite an average performance with the bat.
The home side batted first and had difficulty staying at the crease, and was languishing at 9/118.
But the tail-enders dug in, and Joseph McLelland (17 not out) and Mark Butters (20 not out) put on 40 runs for the 10th wicket, giving their side a decent total to defend — 9/158.
Heshan Lorenz-Daniel was a big factor with the ball, collecting 4/29 off eight overs.
But Keysborough capitulated with the bat, losing its top five batsmen for a combined total of three runs.
Daniel Ferguson was the destroyer, ripping through the line-up with disdain, collecting 5/6 off 8, in the process sinking the visitors for 65.
@BT Sub Sport News:Buckley Ridges v St Mary’s
Buckley Ridges held on to third spot on the ladder with a resounding performance with the willow, thumping its way to 6/248 off 40 overs.
William Butler was the standout at number four, plundering 84 not out, with good support from Ruwan Jayadeva (35) and Daniel Watson (34).
It was a day to forget for St Mary’s bowlers, with Jesse McCartney claiming the best figures of 2/39 off seven, though still going at over 5.5 runs per over.
It was always going to be a difficult run chase for St Mary’s and the side lost wickets at a seemingly frenetic pace, and struggled to keep up with the required run rate.
Captain Troy Cashman (30) top-scored at the head of the line-up but could do little to help as the side fell to be all out for 136.
@BT Sub Sport News:TURF TWO
Southern Pirates v Hampton Park
Hampton Park picked up its first win of the year against the in-form Southern Pirates, despite a less-than-impressive effort with the bat.
Played at the Pirates’ Wachter Reserve, the visitors batted first and stumbled their way to be all out for 120 off 36.1 overs.
Danny Cortese (22) was the only one to pass the teens, in the face of some strong bowling, led by Matthew Perry with 3/25 off eight overs.
The Pirates looked on top at the change of innings but got off to the worst possible start, losing both openers for ducks.
Leigh Taylor (25) and captain Martyn Cull (20) steadied the ship for a time, but when they fell the rest of the team offered little, and the Pirates fell for 97 off 34.5 overs, handing Hampton Park the points.
@BT Sub Sport News:Maranatha Methodist v Dandenong West
Dandenong West did enough in a low-scoring affair to take the points against Maranatha Methodist, played at Maranatha’s Strathaird Reserve.
The Wests batted first and compiled a hard-fought 123 off 38 overs, with Anthony Brannan the shining light with 35 not out.
Pranay Asija took the honours with the ball, picking up 4/25 off eight overs, and he played a big part in restricting the total.
It was not a day for the batsmen, with the home side struggling to put together a solid partnership.
Jeffrey Thom (32) top-scored from number seven but had no support, and his side collapsed all out for 81 off 35 overs.
@BT Sub Sport News:Lyndale v Fountain Gate
Fountain Gate successfully defended its 9/159 against Lyndale, at Lyndale’s Max Pawsey Reserve East.
The visitors won the toss and went into bat, and it paid off with Jarryd Murrian (59) relishing the conditions from number three.
Dylan Bracebridge (22) played a crucial supporting role, and the strong top order performances were crucial as the lower order collapsed.
Jose Clua was the main wicket-taker with the ball, collecting 4/12 off eight overs.
In reply, Lyndale had few contributors throughout its line-up with the exception of Aaron O’Dath (42), and the side fell all out for 126.
@BT Sub Sport News:Buckley Ridges v HSD
HSD remained firmly on top of the Turf Two ladder with a brutal win over Buckley Ridges at Park Oval.
Buckley Ridges batted first and posted 147, with Leslie Michael (38) and Ricci Csomor (28) leading the run totals.
Paul Stockdale was impressive with the ball, taking 4/22 off his eight overs.
At the change of innings HSD seemed to come out an inspired team, and set about chasing down Buckley Ridges’ total as though the side had made 400.
Asela Jayasinghe stole the show from the top of the order, and was only denied a century because he did not have enough runs to chase down.
He plundered eight boundaries and sent six over the rope on his way to 91, almost single-handedly lifting his side past the total.
Remarkably, it took HSD just 15.1 overs to overhaul the required 147.
