By Nicholas Creely
DDCA TURF 1 REVIEW
ROUND 10 (DAY 2)
Nobody saw this coming, but it seems the reigning Turf 1 champ Cranbourne are finished for good this season, going down fighting in a thriller to Springvale South.
Chasing a monster 313 to retain its place inside the top-four, the Eagles needed to get a lot of things right.
And when Matt Chasemore (13) walked back to the pavilion at 4/72, the Eagles looked gone.
But the skipper Steven Spoljaric (123) played a vintage and defining knock, guiding his side out of a deep hole with utter class.
Combining with Jake Harrington (87), the Eagles fell agonizingly short by four runs when Rajitha Priyan (2/46) found a way through to claim a stunning victory.
The Bloods were well served by not only Priyan, but Tim Ford (2/57) and Craig Slocombe (2/40), while in the field they managed three-run outs.
Heinz-Southern Districts have pulled off one of the most monumental Turf 1 victories in years, crushing Berwick’s final hopes to pieces and in the process catapulted themselves into the top-four.
The day started off calmly enough, with the Cobras resuming play at 0/7, 186-runs short of victory.
After losing two early wickets, Cobras skipper Matthew Cox (69) played a wonderful knock, guiding them to first-innings points before aggressively declaring at 7/200.
But instead of just grinding out the day and preventing further damage, the Bears went on the attack, and looked dangerous early when Nathan Pilon spanked 40 off 17 balls.
Kaushyla Weeraratne (5/61) then tore apart the middle-order, but the Bears continued to attack and strangely declared on 8/153 off 20 overs.
Cox (68 not out) then played an even more special innings and, combined with Michael Davies (28), got the 145-runs required to claim outright, and more importantly a spot in the top-four with a round to play.
The Magpies have pushed on with their late season form, and can sleep easier knowing they will now officially remain in Turf 1 next year.
After Narre Warren made 242 the week previous, Dandy West were skittled for just 100, with Mitchell Shirt (4/27) the star.
They were then sent back in, where the Westers reached 1/90 before stumps.
Buckley Ridges has continued its golden week with another imperious performance, smashing North Dandenong outright and finally cementing itself in the top-four with a round to go.
Already claiming first-innings points last week, Daniel Watson (61 not out from 26 balls) sent the ball flying to all parts, with the Bucks declaring on 7/216 and gaining an 87-run lead.
And then Luke Fletcher took over proceedings as he did in the Twenty20 just days prior, taking 5/21 as the Maroons were dismantled for just 58, but at one stage were sitting at an astonishing 9/24.
Down at Ben Kavanagh Reserve, Mordialloc has left the door open for a shock top-of-the-table finish, absolute shellacking Parkfield in an utterly dominant outright rout.
Resuming at 3/59 in the chase of the Bears’ meager total of 96, the Bloodhounds wasted very little time knocking over the runs, declaring after 52 overs with the score at 8/173.
And oh how clinical they were from there, resigning the Parkers to a short 90-minute stay at the crease, rolling them for 49 and earning themselves double-points.
Chathura Athukorala (6/21) was virtually unplayable in a stellar performance, while Ian Daniel (3/15) was typically industrious.
The Bloodhounds now sit second on the table with a round to play, while Parkfield are almost a certainty to be relegated to Turf 2 next season.
And Dingley has fallen 13 runs short to Hallam-Kalora Park, with the Dingoes brave push for a finals spot ending.
Chasing 234, the Dingoes gave an almighty scare to the ladder-leaders, before Leigh Booth (4/38), Jordan Hammond (3/48) and Jagveer Hayer (2/46) managed to get the job done.
The Hawks remain top-of-the-table with a round to go, but have two sides still in the running to pinch their spot as minor premiers.
Updated Turf 1 Team of the Year
Matthew Hague (Dingley)
Ian Daniel (Mordialloc)
Janaka Liyanabadalge (Narre Warren)
Matt Chasemore (Cranbourne)
Steven Spoljaric (Cranbourne)
Jarrod Armitage (Berwick)
Craig Slocombe (Springvale South)
Brodie Yapp (HSD, Keeper)
Jarrod Goodes (Berwick)
Stuart Squires (Mordialloc, Captain)
Jasenthuliyana Chathuranga (Dingley)
