Fight for finals hots up

By Stuart Teather
THE penultimate round in the Dandenong District Cricket Association came to a close on Saturday with the four finals places in the Turf One competition still up for grabs.
Top side Springvale South has secured its place at the head of the field, but Parkfield, Hallam-Kalora Park, Doveton, North Dandenong and Buckley Ridges can all still qualify for the finals.
All games were played as one-dayers on Saturday after the extreme heat of the week before saw day one of the round cancelled.

Turf One

@BT Sub Sport News:Parkfield v Hallam-Kalora Park

Second-placed Parkfield took on third-placed Hallam-Kalora Park at Parkfield Reserve and it was the home side that took the points.
The game was a crucial one, as the victors would move a game clear in second place, all but securing them a berth in the finals.
Hallam-Kalora Park batted first, but had a rough time at the crease, collapsing to be all out for 92.
Steven Chapman top-scored with 22, but it was the stifling bowling of Parkfield’s Hemantha Alles (3/20 off 6.5 overs) and Mark Butters (2/11 off six) that stood out.
In reply, it took the home side 25 overs to chase down the score with seven wickets in hand.

@BT Sub Sport News:Coomoora v Doveton

Doveton needed to win at Coomoora Reserve on Saturday to stay in the hunt for finals and the side did exactly that; batting first and successfully defending its 228.
The Doves had strong performances from Ryan Hendy (67) and Ryan Pearson (51), despite some exceptional bowling from Coomoora’s Rizan Mawzoon, who took season-best figures of 5/28 off eight overs.
In reply, Coomoora struggled with the required run-rate throughout its innings, posting 9/164 off its 40 overs.
Number 10 Justin Woodman kept the side in the hunt with an unbeaten 37 at the end of the innings, combining with Bilal Zeitoune (29) for a 61-run partnership.
But the pair had too little time to do their work and Doveton cruised to a crucial win.

@BT Sub Sport News:Cranbourne v St Mary’s

Cranbourne has one more round to land its first win of the season after going down to St Mary’s at Casey Fields on Saturday.
St Mary’s batted first and cruised to 6/163 off its 40 overs, thanks to an unbeaten half-century to Luke Byron (52), along with a solid performance from Nick McKay (39) at the top of the order.
After the change of innings, Cranbourne’s batsmen were never in the hunt and the side managed 110 off 35.5 overs.
Wicketkeeper Lucas Ligt top-scored with 25 for the home side, as St Mary’s Jesse McCartney (3/20 off eight) and Ron Prudham (3/24 off eight) kept the score down.

@BT Sub Sport News:Berwick v Narre Warren

Berwick won a nailbiter at its home ground Arch Brown Reserve against Narre Warren on Saturday, holding off the visitors to claim a three-run win.
Berwick batted first and Brad Francis signalled his return to form with an unbeaten 71 to anchor the innings.
He combined with Paul Evans (54) for a 111-run partnership to push the score on, helping the side to 4/211.
In reply, Narre Warren came out swinging and while the side lost wickets regularly throughout its innings, the run-rate remained high enough to give the team a chance at victory.
The side was in trouble at 6/112, but Shean Vanderwert (46) and David Wheeler (45 not-out) combined to keep their team in the hunt.
As the side passed 200, Wheeler and Shane Simpson (15) appeared on track to pass Berwick’s score, but the bowlers struck late, removing Simpson at 207 and then held on for a gripping victory.

Turf Two

@BT Sub Sport News:HSD v Hampton Park

HSD secured top spot with a close win over Hampton Park at Reedy Reserve on Saturday.
Batting first, HSD posted 4/179 with an even century to Asela Jayasinghe in an impressive knock including 17 boundaries and two sixes.
Hampton Park’s import all-rounder Jonathan Rudge was a star with the ball, collecting 1/7 off five tight overs.
Hampton Park ensured the game would end in a thriller as it kept the runs ticking over throughout its innings and Nathan Allen (47 not-out) had the job of guiding the side home.
Allen combined with Chris Bateman (27) down the order for a 69-run partnership and the pair seemed on track for victory, but when Bateman fell Allen had few allies to help him in the chase.
Eventually the side fell eight runs short of HSD’s total, posting 8/171 off the 40 overs.

@BT Sub Sport News:Maranatha Methodist v Buckley Ridges

Buckley Ridges claimed an away win against Maranatha Methodist at Strathaird Reserve, thanks to some even performances with the bat.
Most of the Buckley Ridges batsmen made starts, but few went on and Ruwan Jayadeva top-scored with 49.
Maranatha captain Brett Ernst provided a bright cameo with the ball, jumping in with 2/7 off two overs.
Maranatha chased hard with the bat, but suffered under the excellent bowling of Ian West who removed the top four batsmen on his way to 4/22 off eight.
William Brown also bowled well, picking up 3/29 off five as the home side was all out for 176.

@BT Sub Sport News:Southern Pirates v Fountain Gate

Fountain Gate missed an opportunity to secure its place in the top four as it went down to the Southern Pirates at Wachter Reserve.
The side now has the unenviable task of taking on Springvale South as it looks to hang onto its place in the finals. Southern Pirates are the only side that can displace Fountain Gate, but would need an outright win to move into finals contention.
On Saturday, the Pirates won with some strong bowling and managed to defend their 165 with the bat.
Captain Martyn Cull top-scored when the Pirates were at the crease with 42, while for Fountain Gate, Sanjeeva Udumalagala was the standout with the ball collecting 3/31 off eight.
Fountain Gate took up the chase and had good contributions from its top order, with the first five batsmen all making starts, but had little to offer from then on.
After reaching 4/106, the side lost 7/21 and was all out for 127 handing the Pirates a surprise win.