By Stuart Teather
LADDER leader Springvale South firmed its position at the top of the pack, claiming first-innings points against Narre Warren on day one of their two day Dandenong District Cricket Association turf-one clash at Sweeney Reserve on Saturday.
Coomoora is on top of its clash with Keysborough, while North Dandenong is locked in a close battle with reigning premier Berwick.
TURF ONE
@BT Sub Sport News:Doveton v Buckley Ridges
Buckley Ridges suffered against an inspired Doveton bowling attack at Doveton’s Robinson Reserve on Saturday.
Led by Matthew Hutchinson, the Doves’ bowlers ripped through the opposition batsmen, dismissing the side for 125.
Hutchinson took 4/40 off 16 overs to claim the best figures and he had good support from captain Bradley Downe (2/10 off 11.4) and Corrie Wilson (2/31 off 15).
For Buckley Ridges, ’keeper Suren Ekanayake offered the best resistance with the bat, posting 31, while number-10 Matthew Goodwright helped the total with a last-ditch 29.
@BT Sub Sport News:Coomoora v Keysborough
An even century to Matthew Wenke helped Coomoora gain the upper hand against Keysborough at Coomoora Reserve.
Wenke and fellow opener Andrew King (44) got the ball rolling with a strong 90-run opening partnership before King fell.
Wenke pushed on to his century and when he fell, the middle order continued on from his good work and David Nutting (51) and Mevan Fernando (36) helped guide the score towards 300.
For Keysborough, Paul McDonald took 3/103 off 29 overs and Damian Stoter-Rainer picked up 2/22 off four.
@BT Sub Sport News:Narre Warren v Springvale South
Top side Springvale South wasted no time in claiming first-innings points against Narre Warren at Narre’s Sweeney Reserve on Saturday and will push for an outright victory this weekend.
Narre Warren took to the crease first, but had little to offer against Springvale South’s attack.
The visitors skittled the home side for 99 runs, with regular star Wendell Perumal (28) and David Wheeler (27) the only batsmen to show any resistance.
In reply, it took Springvale South’s opening pair of Steven Masterson (42 not-out) and Rory Ingram (51 not-out) just 29 overs to breeze past the total, with the side 0/101 at the close of play.
@BT Sub Sport News:St Mary’s v Parkfield
St Mary’s put the foot down against Parkfield at Carroll Reserve on Saturday, reaching 239 in its first innings.
Daniel Davis (88) was the major contributor, establishing three vital partnerships at the top of the order to keep the runs flowing.
His main supporting acts included Nick McKay (36), Luke Byron (33) and Jesse McCartney (26).
For the bowlers, Dale Harris was the cream of the crop with 3/15 off seven, while Hemantha Alles did his share of the workload, sending down 17.4 overs for figures of 2/60.
@BT Sub Sport News:Berwick v North Dandenong
Berwick and North Dandenong are locked in an even battle at Arch Brown Reserve, with Berwick chasing 207 for first-innings points.
The visitors struggled with the bat across the board, with Carman Mapatuna (108) and Scott Neeson (51) the only exceptions to the rule.
The pair put on a 102-run partnership to help the side to a respectable total, but when Neeson fell, Mapatuna had to increase the run-rate as he quickly ran out of partners.
In the end Mapatuna’s wicket was the final one to fall, at the hands of Berwick’s Alecs Roberts.
For the bowlers, James Prendergast was the pick of the bunch, taking 4/47 off 16 overs.
In reply, Berwick reached 2/38 at the close of play, with Roberts not out on 22.
@BT Sub Sport News:Under 21
The Dandenong District Cricket Association Under 21 side defeated City of Moorabbin in the Neil Wright Shield grand final on Sunday.
City of Moorabbin batted first and posted 9/184, which the DDCA boys comfortably overhauled with six wickets to spare.
Daniel Papa (Keysborough) led the scoring with 44, along with Daniel Watson (Buckley Ridges) with 40 not-out and Ryan Pearson (Doveton), who hit 37.
Three DDCA players have been selected to represent the Victorian Metropolitan Cricket Union in a representative match against the Victorian Country Cricket League this Sunday.
Daniel Watson (Buckley Ridges) will captain the side, with Simon Fonceca (Buckley Ridges) and Tim Ford (Springvale South) also earning selection.
