By David Nagel
CALLUM O’Hare produced a bowling spell of rare quality to help Tooradin (190) to a comprehensive away victory over Pakenham Upper/Toomuc (111) in West Gippsland Premier Division on Saturday.
With an above-average score to defend, O’Hare (5/20 off eight overs) turned human wrecking ball as he smashed his way through the Yabbies’ top order claiming the first five wickets to fall. O’Hare had the job done at 5/39 but then skipper Aaron Avery (3/18 off five) chimed in with three more quick wickets to leave the home side in ruins at 8/53.
Earlier in the day Tooradin’s batting machine was purring early then coughed and spluttered through the middle stages before clicking back into gear late. Brenton Adams (45) and Tom Hussey (40) put on 69 for the first wicket but the Seagulls then lost 6/42.
Sam Clarke (34) and Craig Dicks (14) were left to pick up the pieces and controlled the lower order, being the catalyst for three crucial 20-plus partnerships at the end of the innings.
O’Hare, Hussey, Avery and speedster Lukas Hoogenboom form a four-pronged Seagull assault on this year’s Country Week carnival after all being announced in the 15-man WGCA Warriors squad on Tuesday.
@BT Sub Sport News:DISTRICT DIVISION
MERINDA Park (2/159) kept itself in the hunt for the District Division minor premiership with a comfortable run-chase in its away victory over NNG/Maryknoll (9/155cc).
The Marygoons were ranked number one heading into the game and at 4/129 looked like posting a formidable total. Uma Rattan (3/44) stepped up and broke a 65-run middle-order partnership with his third wicket and from there the match changed complexion.
The Cobras took 5/15 in a commanding session of play to restrict the home side to a gettable total. Brendan Fairlam (3/30) took his season wicket tally to 17 as he and Jess Mathers (2/17) capped off Rattan’s hard work.
The Cobras’ run-chase was never in doubt after Matt Grayson (58 not out) and Daniel McCalman (57) put on a brilliant 121-run opening partnership. Mathers (18 not out) and Grayson steering the Cobras home with five overs to spare.
DEVON Meadows (6/150) regained its position at the top of the table with an impressive four-wicket win over Emerald (146) at Racecourse Reserve.
Although running into more resistance than usual on its home turf, the Panthers would be pleased with the even spread of wicket takers.
Numbers one and two in the competition Mick Floyd (2/23) and Peter Zauner (2/25) were their usual economical selves while Lucas Carroll (2/28) and Bill Loudon (2/19) also chimed in with two scalps apiece.
The Panthers’ run chase started disastrously with Jason Holman (0) back in the sheds in the first over but from there things improved rapidly. The competition’s number two run scorer Steve Robinson (55) and the previously out-of-form Carroll (66) combined for a 114-run jaunt to shut down the Bombers.
Losing 5/28 wasn’t the ideal way for the Panthers to ice a cake that had already been well and truly baked but it was still a comfortable victory.
THERE is one finals spot available in District Division this season and Lyndhurst Vikings (8/212cc) kept its hat in the ring with a trouncing of SFX Old Collegians (153).
Playing at home the Vikings won the toss and batted first and its top order was dismantled by the X-men. 1/28 quickly became 5/42 and it was left to David Greensmith (96) to perform another Houdini act for his side. Without his 238 runs this season the Vikings would be dead and buried. Steve Marshall (27) and Marty Davies (36) were able allies.
In reply the X-men were never in the hunt with Mark Henry (3/23) and Trevor McGeachin (3/39) the main destroyers.
@BT Sub Sport News:SUB-DISTRICT
CLYDE (3/119) sent another potential challenger from Lineham Oval with its tail between its legs when it gave Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll (9/115cc) an old fashioned touch-up.
The Cougars weren’t spectacular but performed a clinical dissection of the Marygoons, first with the ball then with the bat. All six Cougars’ bowlers were economical with Adrian Buller (2/21) and Joel Avard (2/27) claiming multiple scalps.
Gavin Adams (56 not out) was the mainstay of the run chase as the home side trotted in with nine overs to spare.
TOORADIN (105) just wasn’t up to the challenge when it played host to second-placed Lang Lang (2/108).
It’s a difficult task trying to find positives for the Seagulls who lost their last eight wickets for 57 runs. Justin Hinkley (21) was best with the willow and Rory Alder (1/18) tops with the cherry. The Seagulls are fifth and eight points outside the top four.
CRANBOURNE Meadows (8/171cc) can book its trip away for early March after its bowlers couldn’t defend a sizeable total against Cardinia (7/176).
The Rebels looked well placed after Lee Murdoch (44), Shannon Marum (39) and Andrew Clappers (34) put a decent score on the board but the second half of the day turned pear shaped.
Adrian Savage (2/33) and Jason Poole (2/40) both tried hard with the ball but the support acts went for plenty. Savage claimed two wickets to have the Bulls 6/127 but things went downhill from there with the home side winning with eight overs in hand.
