By David Nagel
THE CRANBOURNE region teams had a successful Saturday as round five of West Gippsland cricket came to its conclusion.
In Premier Division, Tooradin (256) bowled out fellow finals aspirant Pakenham (181) in a match that could set up the Seagulls’ season.
The home team took wickets at constant intervals throughout the day but it was Callum O’Hare (3/38) who got the ball rolling with the first three wickets to fall. O’Hare’s early damage was backed up later in the day by skipper Aaron Avery (4/44) as the Seagulls’ joined the third-placed Lions on three wins, even though they currently sit in fifth place.
Avery knows how important the victory could be to the Seagulls’ season.
“Look, it’s definitely a big win to knock over Pakenham, we’ve got three very winnable games leading into Christmas now, so it’s really in our hands,” he said.
Tooradin plays teams in the bottom three places on the ladder in the next three rounds.
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Devon Meadows (6/236) did what looked likely after week one and defeated the visiting Nyora (35 and 119) outright to move back to the top of the District Division ladder.
Veteran Peter Zauner (6/12) continued to amaze as he and Michael Floyd (3/18) routed an inept Nyora line-up in just 21.3 overs. Attack was the best form of defence in Nyora’s second innings as the visitors came out blazing.
As all good teams do though, the Meadows had a backup plan and it came in the form of Lucas Carroll (5/22) and Billy Loudon (4/39). The two made it an early day for all concerned, rolling Nyora in just 25.2 overs to secure maximum points.
Two Cranbourne-based teams, Merinda Park (5/209) and Lyndhurst Vikings (207), battled out the other game in District Division and it was the home ground Cobras who got over the line.
Heath Straughair (3/29) had the home team in trouble at 5/104 but Jason Pongracic (65 not out) and skipper Jamie Smith (51 not out) guided the Cobras home without further loss, their 105-run unbroken partnership sealing the deal.
Pongracic looks unlikely to take any further part this season with football commitments taking precedence and his all-round abilities will be missed by the Cobras.
Devon Meadows, Nar Nar Goon and Merinda Park are run-away leaders in District Division at this early part of the season.
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Top team Clyde (126) recovered from a shaky batting performance last week to get over the top of a disappointing Tooradin (99) in another local clash on Saturday.
The visiting Seagulls left the door open at the end of day one and Clyde bowler Dean Williams (5/28) walked straight in to do most of the day-two damage. Williams was the headline act as Adrian Buller (3/43) joined the party, backing up his solid lower-grade performances in recent times.
Tooradin keep its place in the top four but a middle and late-order batting collapse is an area they will need to improve on if they’re to challenge the top teams. Mathew Walker (25) and Sam Clarke (24) were their main contributors.
Cranbourne Meadows (9/336cc) set up its win with the bat last week and – although never in danger – met solid resistance from Gembrook (166) on Saturday.
No bowler completely dominated for the Meadows but Jason Poole (3/17) led the way with solid support from Mathew Smith (2/18), Adrian Savage (2/26) and Lee Murdoch (2/49).
This game was an indication of what the home team can produce and moves them to sixth on the ladder after a poor start to the season. This win could trigger a resurgence.
