By Gavin Staindl
IN A topsy-turvy contest at Robinson Reserve, Parkfield has posted a modest 185 against Doveton in the Dandenong and District Cricket Association Turf One match-up.
An early wicket to Matt Hutchinson (1/15) had Parkfield on the back foot but despite a few close calls, Ryan Pitts (23) helped lift his team pass 50 for the loss of only one wicket.
Dale Harris (35) continued on where Pitts left off and it appeared Parkfield was set for a 200-plus total.
However, Corrie Wilson (3/58) came to the aid of Doveton and removed the final three batters for 20 runs.
@BT Sub Sport News:Berwick v Buckley Ridges
It was a game of big time performances as Buckley Ridges’ opener Suren Ekanayake hit a ton that was matched by Berwick’s Ashley Henry, who had a hand in eight of the 10 dismissals.
A 102-opening stand by Ekanayake (102) and Richard Hope (50) had the undefeated Bears planning out a potentially gruelling run chase at Arch Brown Reserve.
However, a season-best 7/67 by Ashley Henry (who also affected the run out of Ekanayake) turned the 1/137 scorecard to all out for 207.
Berwick started off strongly with the bat by leaving the crease at the end of day’s play at 0/16.
@BT Sub Sport News:Hallam-Kalora Park v Coomoora
Despite wet conditions making scoring tough, Hallam-Kalora Park was able to post one of the larger totals of round six against Coomoora at Hallam-Kalora Park.
The 188 was initially set up by the top order, which managed to score 150 by the time the fifth wicket fell.
Nicholas Cox (59) was the best of the top order but when Tim Beech (4/35) had the aggressive batter caught out, the wickets began to fall quickly.
Troy Jeffs (3/35) worked in tandem with Beech to remove the final seven batters for 32 runs.
Coomoora are 0/4 in reply.
@BT Sub Sport News:Narre Warren v Springvale South
After recording their first win two rounds ago and narrowly missing the chance to make it a second last week, Narre Warren has continued their good form in the lead up to Christmas by scoring 192 against Springvale South.
First drop Gary Freear (45) put the home town in a comfortable position early but a good comeback with the ball by opener Alecs Roberts (4/63) restricted the total to 5/97.
Coming in at sixth, Jarryd Leworthy (25) rebooted the run scoring and Ben Carter (18 off 89 balls) was the immovable rock at the other end that allowed the lower order to hit out to an eventual total of 192.
To solidify the good score, Narre Warren forced an early Springvale South wicket and in reply the visitors are 1/11.
Turf Two
@BT Sub Sport News:St Brigid’s/St. Louis v Maranatha Methodist
Jeff Thom may be justifiably disappointed that he was stopped three runs short of making a ton but he can be content knowing his score saved an impending top order collapse.
Thom (97 not out) came to the Bondi Oval crease with his side flailing at 4/27 and watched as his team dropped further to 6/84.
When seventh batter Brendan Wilson (59 not out) came to the crease, the pair put on a 151-run stand that, along with 32 extras, elevated Maranatha to 6/236 after the maximum 80 overs.
@BT Sub Sport News:Dandenong West v Fountain Gate
Dandenong West has walked away from day one at Greaves Reserve already with the knowledge that they have secured first innings points after they blitzed the Fountain Gate batting line up.
Nathan Goodes (4/5) was one of the four Dandenong West bowlers who contributed to Fountain Gate’s embarrassing 35 over total of 68.
A 47-run partnership by Dandenong West batters Udesha Suraweera (25) and Chandana Surige Don (28) saw to it that the 68 was reached.
The home team was at 7/125 at stumps.
@BT Sub Sport News:Cranbourne v HSD
After scoring 333 two weeks ago against Fountain Gate, Cranbourne has posted another big score, this time hitting 265 against HSD at Casey Fields.
Apart from Jason Williams, all six opening batters scored above 35 with the best being Rob Cleland (62) and Brad Angus (72) who was playing in only his second Turf Two match for the year.
HSD, who are no slouches with the bat either, will need to produce one of their best performances for the season if they want to remain in the top four.
@BT Sub Sport News:Springvale South v Southern Pirates
Springvale South is well on the way to earning the six points that comes with a first innings victory after they bowled out the Southern Pirates for 123 at Alex Nelson Reserve.
By the end of the game Damian Stoter-Rainer (5/40) had taken five wickets and whittled away the visiting top order.
Ninth batter Rodney Helyard made a stubborn 21 that carried his team to 123 runs but could do little as Springvale chased down the required target.
At stumps, Springvale South was 2/54.
@BT Sub Sport News:Buckley Ridges v Berwick
A Steven Sheedy five-wicket haul has torn the life out of the Bears’ middle order on day one at Park Oval.
Sheedy (5/23) worked in tandem with Raman Sharma (4/18) to confine Berwick to only 103.
Brad James (48) was solid, but his team will have to pull off a near miracle if they are to contain Buckley Ridges, who are already at 1/57.
@BT Sub Sport News:Hampton Park v Lyndale
The Lyndale bowlers have set up a probable victory heading into the final day’s play next week at Booth Reserve after limiting Hampton Park to 128.
Hampton Park fell to 5/41 but lower order batter Matt Bartlett (28) kept the innings alight with Daniel Redfern (19).
Rodney Keyaerts (3/33) spearheaded the bowling attack for Lyndale and was backed up by Michael Gallagher (2/30).
In response, Lyndale batters Jamie Brohier and Kevin Vantwest are already in the midst of a 50-run partnership that has the visitors 3/63 at stumps.
