By Gavin Staindl
BERWICK is set to take out the minor premiership in the Dandenong and District Cricket Association Turf One grade – but the final day of round 10 has set up a tantalising final round next week.
Six teams remain in the hunt for the remaining three finals spots in Turf One while HSD and Lyndale will battle it out for the remaining finals spot in Turf Two.
Turf One
@BT Sub Sport News:Doveton d Hallam-Kalora Park
Doveton has stunned Hallam-Kalora Park in an enthralling match at Robinson Reserve and kept alive their finals ambitions.
Needing 148, Hallam-Kalora Park’s Leigh Booth (4/47) restricted Doveton to 5/51 but a 38-run last wicket partnership between David Dawson (13 not out) and Sanjeewa de Silva (23 not out) took Doveton from 9/128 to the winning score of 9/166.
The improbable win has Doveton out of the top four on percentage and Hallam-Kalora Park’s loss means that their standing in second position on the ladder is under threat.
@BT Sub Sport News:Berwick d Narre Warren
Berwick is celebrating this week after beating Narre Warren by 108 runs and moving into an unassailable position in first place.
Berwick’s first innings total of 5/167, led by Brad Francis’ 66 not out, was enough to hold off Narre Warren, which never threatened the score.
James Davies (3/26) took the opening few wickets to have Narre Warren at 4/30 while recently promoted David Dalzotto (3/19) finished off the remaining batters.
Only Narre Warren’s Shaun Van Dam (13) managed double figures and his team fell to all out for 59.
Turf Two
@BT Sub Sport News:Heinz Southern Districts d Maranatha Methodist
HSD has timed their run to finals well by beating Maranatha Methodist by one wicket and jumping clear of Lyndale in fourth position for the first time since November last year.
HSD were in trouble at 4/29 but 36 runs each to Rob and Trevor Davies kept their side in the hunt. At 9/151, still 13 runs short, HSD’s last batter, Noel Davis (12), kept his cool and along with James Van Elewoud (21 not out) batted the innings out to record an unlikely victory.
HSD are now in fourth position, half a game clear of Lyndale.
While Maranatha cannot make finals they still have a chance to play havoc on the finals structure when they meet Lyndale next week.
@BT Sub Sport News:Cranbourne d Lyndale
Cranbourne has beaten Lyndale by six wickets at Casey Fields and left their opponents with a must-win game next week.
Played in a one-day format, Lyndale could only manage 122 in their forty overs with Lyndale’s Aaron O’Dath (30) the best of the batters.
In reply, Cranbourne’s Brett Harrop (29) and Rob Cleland (27) took Cranbourne to a strong position and from there the winning runs were hit with three overs to spare.
The win means Cranbourne has clinched a finals berth while Lyndale will need to beat Maranatha and hope HSD lose to Dandenong West if they are to reach the top four.
@BT Sub Sport News:Southern Pirates d Berwick
Berwick has given up its third outright loss of the season and is in serious danger of being relegated to Turf Three. Berwick made a combined total of 190 runs over the two innings at Arch Brown Reserve and over the two innings stretch, the Southern Pirates required only seven wickets to waltz past the target. Berwick will need a win against Fountain Gate next week if they are to have any chance of avoiding the embarrassment of relegation.
@BT Sub Sport News:Fountain Gate d Springvale South
Springvale South put in a good showing with the bat but was never good enough to topple Fountain Gate’s first innings total of 325 and was bowled out for 205 at Alex Nelson Reserve. The dead rubber had no impact on finals but, nevertheless, turned out to be an entertaining match. Runs flowed for Springvale South with Nick Bole-Brown making a 50 and four other players making scores in the 20s, including Gavin Fewkes (21) who hit three sixes in his time at the crease.
@BT Sub Sport News:Hampton Park d Buckley Ridges
Hampton Park has beaten Buckley Ridges by 37 runs in a dead rubber at Booth Reserve. Chasing 186, Buckley Ridges’ first drop Shaun Ferreira put on 85, but was left stranded at the crease as only one other batter made double figures. Hampton Park’s Matt Bartlett (3/19) took the early wickets and Chris Bateman (5/57) cleaned up the final five wickets by himself to record a comfortable victory.
