By Tyler Lewis
Devon Meadows has already claimed first-innings points over Pakenham Upper Toomuc courtesy of a magical spell of bowling from club coach Chris Cleef.
The Yabbies were floating along nicely at 1/65 before Cleef made his mark.
A score of 1/65 quickly turned into 10/105 through Cleef’s 5/15 from 16.2 overs, a spell that included eight maidens.
James Stevenage (44) was the only Yabby bat able to go beyond 16, as the Panthers closed the innings in the 52nd over.
The Panthers have excelled into a commanding position after just 25 overs with the bat, not only already passing the home side, but also gaining a lead of 28 runs (3/133).
Kyle Salermo is not out on 75 from just 78 balls, while Cleef again chimed in with 31 from 38.
Upper Beaconsfield, meanwhile, posted its third successive monstrous total.
The Maroons piled 326 on Lang Lang, with no less than seven batters reaching double figures.
A thumping 83 from number eight Scott Pitcher was the highlight of the innings, as was 68 from skipper Will Haines.
Pitcher, a Maroons legend, was playing his first District game for the season after retiring at the end of last season to coach his son Archie.
The score is the second time in three matches in which the Maroons have posted a score in excess of 300.
Emerald joined Upper Beaconsfield with a massive total, sending the NNG/Maryknoll fielders to all parts of James Bathe Reserve.
Amith Eranda (61) and Michael Nell (81) were the two bats to reach half-centuries, while skipper Owen Thorne fell short with 40.
Despite posting an enormous score, the Bombers lost 3/10 to close out the innings in search for a more commanding total.
A stellar 3/49 from Nick Mueller wasn’t enough for the Marygoons, who have a big challenge ahead of them next week.
The match between Cranbourne Meadows and Gembrook was a right-royal debacle.
Gembrook was under the impression the Rebels had forfeited in the days leading up to the match, however the Cranbourne Meadows outfit turned up to play on Saturday with no opposition in sight.
The CCCA heirachy, understandably furious, is investigating the communication between the two clubs.
