By Paul Pickering
DANDENONG District Cricket Association action returned to grounds across the City of Casey on Saturday, with two local derbies scheduled in Turf 1.
The scheduled clash between Berwick and Hallam-Kalora Park stalled due to pitch conditions at Hallam Recreation Reserve and will be played as a one-dayer this Saturday.
All other Turf 1 and 2 fixtures began as planned, with some big scores and impressive wicket hauls across both divisions.
TURF ONE
@BT Sub Sport News:Doveton v Narre Warren
THE Doves and Magpies are evenly poised after day one at Robinson Reserve, with Shaun Tongue (70) guiding the home side to a competitive total of 217.
Tongue steadied the ship after two early wickets and found a willing partner in wicketkeeper Rob Turner (28). The pair combined in a 57-run fourth-wicket partnership, before skipper Matt Hutchinson (41) blasted some crucial lower-order runs. Pies Trent Anderson (2/20), Ryan Christie (2/27) and Gary Freear (2/51) all had some success with the ball.
Narre Warren successfully negotiated an awkward six over spell before stumps and will resume at 0/7 this weekend.
TURF TWO
@BT Sub Sport News:Fountain Gate v Lyndale
FIFTEEN wickets fell at Barry Powell Reserve as Fountain Gate locked horns with Lyndale.
The hosts won the toss, but quickly found themselves in deep trouble, with Fountain Gate pacemen Nick Scanlon (4/26) and James Haupt (4/42) wreaking havoc from the outset.
Lyndale scrapped its way to 112 from 52 overs, before turning the blowtorch on the Gators.
Opener Steve White (23) was the only batsman to get comfortable at the crease as the visitors fell to 5/49 by day’s end.
They will be looking for an early partnership between unbeaten pair Scanlon and Troy Brokenshire on Sunday.
@BT Sub Sport News:Berwick v Maranatha Methodist
THE Bears made a promising start at Arch Brown Reserve, but crumbled from 3/225 to be all out for 263 at stumps.
Opener Sam Curtis (67) and skipper Brad James (72) put their side in a formidable position, but Maranatha Methodist, led by strike bowler Paul Goodchild (4/68), fought back to take 7/38.
Jeff Thom claimed two wickets for the visitors, while Berwick bats Adam Watson (32), Rob Witt (26) and Brendan Lloyd (25 not out) made handy contributions.
@BT Sub Sport News:Springvale South v Cranbourne
CRANBOURNE returned to Turf 2 with a bang at Alex Nelson Reserve on Saturday, plundering hosts Springvale South on their way to a formidable total of 9/273.
Daniel Diwell (89) blasted 11 boundaries in his impressive knock and looked set to notch his ton before a fatal mix-up between the wickets.
Ross Woodall (59) and Chris George (41) played vital roles as the visitors resurrected the innings from the precarious score of 4/56.
Michael Dumenil (3/43) bowled 12 eventful overs for the Bloods late in the innings, while Steve Humble (2/72) was the anchor in his 22.
@BT Sub Sport News:Southern Pirates v HSD
AN UNBEATEN century from captain Trevor Davies (109 not out) was the highlight of HSD’s 6/318 at Watcher Reserve.
Davies cleared the fence six times in his emphatic dig, which overshadowed quality performances from Adam Semmens (60) and Garrick Wiramanaden (55).
HSD’s total included 17 fours and 12 sixes, meaning there was little for the Pirates to celebrate. Peter Atkinson (2/61) and Ron Prudham (2/81) were the only multiple wicket-takers.
@BT Sub Sport News:Dandenong West v Hampton Park
HAMPTON Park is in trouble at Booth Reserve, despite chasing just 173 for victory.
The Redbacks gladly put their hosts in to bat and reduced them to 6/69 before a lower-order fight-back.
All-rounder Chris Bateman (3/64) was the chief destroyer for the visitors, while Matt Bartlett (2/17) cleaned up the tail to reap the rewards of 11 tight overs.
In reply, the Redbacks fell to 4/45 in 19 late-afternoon overs and will need to dig in when play resumes this weekend.
