Keysborough batsman Sharan Rajakaruna had to fight for all of his 32 runs in his side’s 47-run loss to Doveton at Keysborough Reserve.
By Glen Atwell and Marc McGowan
BERWICK assigned the Southern Pirates to bottom spot with a controversial 148-run smacking in their Turf One match at Wachter Reserve on the weekend.
With smoky conditions engulfing the region and the mercury pushing 40 degrees, the powerful Bears bowling line-up destroyed the Pirates’ top order.
Despite slightly more resistance from the tail, Southern’s first innings was wrapped up in just 29.4 overs and with only 95 runs on the board in response to Berwick’s 9/243.
Four of the Pirates’ top six batsmen recorded ducks and the other two combined for just 11 in a woeful batting display.
Simon Cornell was the star for Berwick in his first Turf One match of the season in snaring 3/4 off eight supreme overs.
The drama began from there, as Pirates captain Leigh Taylor refused to send his players back out onto the field, with two being asthma sufferers.
Berwick is seeking an outright result for a forfeit but at present has only been awarded first innings points.
IN other Turf One matches, Narre Warren slumped to its third consecutive defeat on Saturday with a 90-run thrashing at the hands of undefeated North Dandenong at Sweeney Reserve.
Chasing 334 for victory, the Magpies lost an early wicket but a 99-run partnership steadied the ship.
Narre Warren started looking strong but was reminded of its recent mortal status when North Dandenong removed the pair and went about embarrassing the rest of the Magpies’ recognised batsmen.
Only a cavalier knock from Mark Teeuw (63 not out) saved the Magpies from complete destruction and they were eventually bowled out for 243.
Eight North Dandenong bowlers combined to shoot Narre Warren out, but despite their impressive performance, they helped bolster the Magpie score with 42 extras.
Paul Court was the star with the ball with figures of 3/34.
DOVETON rocketed off the bottom of the ladder with a resolute bowling performance leading to a 47-run victory over Keysborough at Keysborough Reserve on the weekend.
The team is now only six points adrift of the top four in what is turning out to be a tight season.
After setting an impressive total of 284 the previous weekend, the Doveton bowlers were just as intent on pressing home the advantage and despite Keysborough making a solid start the former continued to toil.
Ryan Hendy (6/62) backed up his 36 with the bat to produce a devastating spell of bowling that ripped the heart out of Keysborough’s innings.
Keysborough went from 2/117 to 6/144, and despite some rearguard action from Mahshan Perera (77), wickets continued to tumble at a rapid rate and the team fell short of the winning target.
BUCKLEY Ridges confirmed its spot in the top four with a crushing 123-run triumph over Cranbourne at Casey Fields on Saturday.
Cranbourne, chasing Buckley Ridges’ day-one total of 9/282, barely threw a punch as it collapsed to be all out for 159.
Brad Angus (60) defied his recent batting woes to hold the fort at the top of the order, but he could not find a willing ally, and when he became the eighth wicket to fall the Eagles were already out of the contest.
A win would have lifted Cranbourne into the four, but Westley Nicholas put paid to those hopes with season-best figures of 5/28 off just six overs.
PARKFIELD survived a middle-order scare to defeat St Mary’s in their Turf One clash at Carroll Reserve on Saturday.
It was Parkfield’s second consecutive win, and leaves the team just one win outside the DDCA Turf One top four.
Saints bowlers Stuart Dowell (3/30) and Emmanuel Coomaraswamy (3/71) worked tirelessly in the tough conditions to defend just 152 runs, but could not stop Parkfield reaching 6/156 in the 57th over.
Dale Harris (80 not out) came to the crease at 4/41 and continued his run of impressive recent form. Harris has scored 30, 60, 80 and 80 not out and is averaging 64 runs per innings.
The Parkfield captain said he was feeling the pressure when he got to the crease, but knows it was just part of the game.
“Someone had to just get out there and stay there, and when I’m batting down the order a bit there is a bit of an expectation to make runs,” Harris said.
He also said he had a high opinion of Saints leg-spinner Dowell.
“He’s a 19-year-old with great ability, his leg spinners really caused us some trouble,” he said.
Harris was up to the task and led his side to a comfortable victory.
SPRINGVALE South easily accounted for Dandenong West in a hazy match at Alex Nelson Reserve on Saturday.
As the temperature pushed towards 40 degrees, Springvale pushed its total past the required 235 with the loss of five wickets.
Gavin Fewkes and Rory Ingram resumed the innings and amassed 83 before Dandenong tweaker Shaun Weir snared the prized wicket of Fewkes.
Weir finished with the respectable figures of 3/66, but was the only Dandenong bowler to challenge the Springvale batsmen.
Craig Slocombe was the stand-out batsman, scoring 75 and pushing his season average above 70 runs.
The win moves Dandenong West into second position on the ladder, and Springvale South trails closely in third position.
