By Tyler Lewis and Lachlan Mitchell
TURF 1
Berwick remain in the log jam that is second, third and fourth on the DDCA ladder, after achieving what it simply needed to do against the last placed Narre Warren unit.
The Pies opted to bat on a hot day at Sweeney Reserve and put in a strong effort with the willow, posting 10/170.
The strong effort came off the bat of skipper Cameron Dinger – who blasted 75 from 82 balls – after his side had an early shake at the top of the order.
Dinger’s opposing skipper James Wilcock had the new ball on a string, claiming 3/40 from 11 overs, while the ever-green Jarrod Goodes was also among the poles with 3/23.
The Magpies put in a valiant effort in the second dig, but it was ultimately the Bears who demonstrated their class when it mattered most.
Opener Jordan Cleland (64) and Matt Chasemore (51) aren’t short of that aforementioned class, and proved it superciliously, with two brilliant half-centuries in Berwick’s four-wicket win.
The Bears are now only percentage behind second placed Springvale South.
Next weekend, the Bears will welcome its 2020/21 grand final opponent to Arch Brown Reserve, in the second grand final re-match of the summer.
TURF 2
After suffering defeat at the hands of fellow finals contender, Parkfield, Beaconsfield is now back in the hunt for few spots to make finals.
The Tigers were in the box seat at the innings break, dismissing the visitors for just 136.
Jason Dodd pulled out his best bowling performance of the year with 4/33 from his 11 overs, while Ashan Madushanka notched yet another brilliant performance with the ball, snaring 3/34 off 12.
Madushanka is yet to take less than three wickets in a match this year, with an impressive season stat-line of: 18 wickets @ 8.80.
In the second innings, the all-rounder was unable to round out the complete performance, falling for just 13.
However, he wasn’t alone, as the Tigers crumbled in the short run chase.
The Tigers at one stage lost 5/14, all but losing the match in a matter of minutes.
Jason Dodd fought valiantly with the blade, carving 35, but the horse had long bolted, given he walked to the crease at 6/41.
Dodd’s quick-fire knock was the final casualty for the Tigers, who were bundled out for just 107 in the 37th over.
The second successive loss now places Beaconsfield (18 points) in fourth position on the ladder, behind Keysborough, but ahead of Heinz Southern Districts and Parkfield on only percentage.
In next week’s fixture, Beaconsfield will travel to Barry Powell Recreation Reserve to take on the seventh placed Lyndale.
The match looms as a must-win for the Tigers, who will play Heinz Southern Districts (5th) and Parkmore Pirates (2nd) in the following weekend’s make up double-header.
