By Russell Bennett and
HALLAM Kalora Park edged out rivals Narre Warren on the weekend to sneak even closer in the DDCA Turf One standings as finals action draws nearer.
Hallam’s big win came off the back of strong performances with the willow from the Booth boys – Leigh (84 n.o.), and captain Cory (51) – and a stellar bowling spell from Lee Brown, who finished with the devastating figures of 6/30. Cory said he was thrilled with Brown’s post-Christmas bowling form, which culminated in a near hat-trick on the weekend. “He had a hat-trick ball, but unfortunately it was blocked away safely,” Booth said.
Playing at the Hallam Recreation Reserve and chasing the home side’s 260, Narre never got close, falling the 47th over for just 144.
Dushan Wickramaratne (40) and Richard Faust (38) led the batting charge for the visitors, but once Wickramaratne fell, the tail refused to wag. Cory Booth backed up his stellar half century with a cfine bowling performance – a staggering 2/9 from 10 overs.
Narre lost its final three wickets for six runs and now holds just a two-point lead over Hallam for the crucial fourth spot on the ladder.With a tight cluster of teams at the top of the ladder, Booth narrowed down his side’s task in the final two games before the finals.
“If we win against Springvale South and if we win our next two games, we should be in,” he said. “That’s what we’re setting our sights on.”
@BT Sub Sport News:DANDENONG WEST v HEINZ SOUTHERN DISTRICTS
Heinz Southern Districts (8/227cc) ruthlessly knocked over Dandenong West (116), with Chad Van Estrop (5/34) snaring his first five-for in Turf 1. Van Estrop tore through the middle order of the Wests after Glenn Hamilton (2/20) bagged both openers. Justin Davis (3/26) chipped in with three wickets of his own to complete the rout. Heinz faces Buckley Ridges this week and Dandenong West travel to Dandenong North.
@BT Sub Sport News:BUCKLEY RIDGES v BERWICK
Buckley Ridges (124) couldn’t hold back Berwick (198) as Bob Francis (49) and Ryan Crawford (23) helped get the job done to move into second place. With nothing to defend, the Ridges’ bowlers worked to minimise the runflow, but didn’t have enough in the bank to work with. Jeremy Kuru (3/33), Wes Nicholas (3/50) and Shaun Ferriera (2/18) claimed the wickets for Buckley Ridges. Buckley batted again for extended practice and made 4/72. Ridges faces Dandenong West and in the last round Mordialloc, with two wins ensuring a spot in the finals.
@BT Sub Sport News: DOVETON v SPRINGVALE SOUTH
Doveton (9/293cc) continued to romp ahead of the chasers in Turf 1 with a decisive win over Springvale South (151). Jim Boyd (63) and Suranjith Silva (45 not out) were the only blokes trying for Springvale South, with the rest of the side contributing 7/36. Dillon Fernandesz held his own at number 11, defending 35 balls in his eight to stick with Silva for as long as possible. Matt Hutchinson (6/31) was the chief destroyer of the Bloods.
TURF TWO
@BT Sub Sport News:FOUNTAIN GATE v NARRE NORTH
Chasing down a brutal Fountain Gate first innings was always going to be a tough task for Narre North but the side never came close in its reply to a mammoth 7/302.
John Mirranay (103) led the charge for Fountain Gate on day one with a superb century, after the Stewart Scanlon-led fight back at the top of the order. The visitors lost both openers cheaply but Scanlon’s (72) half century set the innings back on track.In reply, wicket keeper Scott Brandon (71) led the Narre North innings but he was the only batsman to reach 30 in a disappointing showing. Matthew Maxwell (5/17) and Bryan Guthrie (4/66) were the destroyers for Fountain Gate.
@BT Sub Sport News:CRANBOURNE v SILVERTON
Buoyed by their side’s mammoth innings on day one at Casey Fields, Cranbourne’s bowlers were full of confidence on the eve of the second day’s play against Silverton.
With 385 runs under their belts, thanks to a sublime undefeated century from skipper Robert Cleland (146), Cranbourne’s bowlers had Silverton in all sorts at 7/92 before a Damien Simmons century (109) restored some respectability to the scorecard. But his knock came too late as Silverton could only manage 237. Cleland and Daniel Evans were the pick of the Cranbourne bowling attack, each snaring three wickets.
@BT Sub Sport News:ST BRIGID’S/ST LOUIS v
NARRE SOUTH
St Brigid’s made light work of what seemed to be a strong Narre South day one total, as the visitors cruised to a big home win at Bondi Oval. Batting first, Narre reached 7/263 with four batsman reaching 35 but only one, Kyle Hardy (57), converted the start into a half century. The side would come to rue its missed opportunities as St Brigid’s turned on a batting clinic on day two, losing just three wickets in a thumping win.
