By Paul Pickering
THE mid-table log jam continues in the DDCA’s Turf One division, with round nine winners Doveton and Buckley Ridges joining Springvale South and North Dandenong on 30 points.
Those four sides now look set to battle it out with Parkfield for the third and fourth finals berths as the competition enters its penultimate round this weekend.
Meanwhile, HSD remains in the hunt for a finals spot in Turf Two after claiming its third straight victory.
TURF ONE
@BT Sub Sport News:Doveton d Springvale South
The Doves drew within less than two hundredths of a percentage point of Springvale South after dismissing the Bloods for 135 at Robinson Reserve on Saturday.
Corrie Wilson (4/19) and Ryan Hendy (4/31) were the stars as the home side claimed a 44-run victory, while all-rounder Andrew Sharp (39) helped the Bloods recover from 6/41.
It was Doveton’s third consecutive win.
@BT Sub Sport News:Berwick d North Dandenong
Ladder-leader Berwick had already secured first innings points after skittling North Dandenong for 60 the previous, but the Bears drove the advantage home by progressing from 6/81 to be all out for 189 on Saturday.
Robert Chilver was unbeaten on 57 when number 11 Cameron McDonnell finally fell for 29, ending a 65-run partnership that must have frustrated the Bulls bowlers. David Bell and Chris Clarke snared three wickets apiece.
North Dandy then set about salvaging something from the game by using the remaining 20 overs for batting practice, finishing at 1/62.
@BT Sub Sport News:Hallam Kalora Park d St Mary’s
Leigh Booth (5/36) and Paul McDonald (4/73) combined for nine wickets as Hallam Kalora Park snatched a 29-run victory over St Mary’s on Saturday.
Their heroics with the ball offset an impressive return-to-form from Saints stalwart Troy Cashman (89) and a quick-fire half-century from Agnello Dmello (52 not out) in an entertaining match at Hallam Rec Reserve.
Dmello was left stranded as the visitors succumbed in the 64th over, while the home side was able to consolidate second spot.
@BT Sub Sport News:Buckley Ridges d Narre Warren
Buckley Ridges pair David Wheeler (64) and Daniel Watson (54) guided their side out of trouble – 2/20 at stumps on day one – against Narre Warren at Park Oval, but it was Ben Watson (74) and Paul Rudd (46*) who finished the job.
The home side chased down Narre’s 245 quite comfortably in the end, despite a handy bowling performance from Trent Anderson (4/60).
TURF TWO
@BT Sub Sport News:HSD d Springvale South
HSD cruised to first innings points with four wickets down at Alex Nelson Reserve, passing Springvale South’s 126 and racing to a declared total of 5/240 in just 39 overs.
Navoda Ganegoda (59*) and Paul Stockdale (43*) did most of the damage, setting up a tilt at an outright result late in the afternoon.
Springvale South held on to be 7/159 at stumps, leaving HSD three wickets shy of a four-point bonus that would have seen it snatch fourth spot.
@BT Sub Sport News:Hampton Park d Berwick
An unbeaten ton from Shaun Butler helped Berwick defy Hampton Park’s bid for an outright victory at Arch Brown Reserve.
The home side resumed at 1/30 in their second innings, needing a further 27 runs to avoid the indignity of conceding 10 points. They progressed to 5/213 by day’s end, but Hampton Park was hardly fussed, taking the opportunity to use 10 different bowlers.
Jonathon Rudge, who took a hat-trick in the first innings, completed a stellar match with figures of 3/13 in the second dig.
@BT Sub Sport News:Fountain Gate d Maranatha Methodist
The Gators comfortably defended their formidable total of 270 at Strathaird Reserve, thanks largely to the bowling of Bryan Guthrie (4/58) and David Lucas (3/32).
Maranatha’s middle order, led by Nathan Monk (56) and Jeff Thorn (36), was brave, but the visitors lacked the match-winning knock they needed. Neither side can figure in the finals race.
@BT Sub Sport News:Cranbourne d St Brigid’s/St Louis
Cranbourne’s clash with St Brigid’s/St Louis was reduced to a one-dayer, but the visitors needed only half a day to crush their hosts on Saturday afternoon.
Robert Cleland (3/10) and Jason Toan (3/21) were the chief destroyers as Cranbourne skittled the combine for 74, while opener Brett Harrop (28 not out) guided his side to 4/75 in the 15th over.
Those crucial points saw third-placed Cranbourne remain within striking distance of the top two.
