By Stuart Teather
THE penultimate round in the Dandenong District Cricket Association came to a close on Saturday with the four finals places in the Turf One competition still up for grabs.
Top side Springvale South has secured its place at the head of the field, but Parkfield, Hallam-Kalora Park, Doveton, North Dandenong and Buckley Ridges can all still qualify for the post-season.
All games were played as one-dayers after the extreme heat of the week before saw day one of the round cancelled.
@BT Sub Sport News:TURF ONE
Parkfield v Hallam-Kalora Park
Second-placed Parkfield took on third-placed Hallam-Kalora Park at Parkfield Reserve and it was the home side that took the points.
The game was a crucial one as the victors would move a game clear in second place, all but securing them a berth in the finals.
Hallam-Kalora Park batted first but had a rough time at the crease, collapsing to be all out for 92.
Steven Chapman top-scored with 22 but it was the stifling bowling of Parkfield’s Hemantha Alles (3/20 off 6.5 overs) and Mark Butters (2/11 off six) that stood out.
In reply, it took the home side 25 overs to chase down the score, with seven wickets in hand.
@BT Sub Sport News:Coomoora v Doveton
Doveton needed to win at Coomoora Reserve on Saturday to stay in the hunt for finals and the side did exactly that; batting first and successfully defending its 228.
The Doves had strong performances from Ryan Hendy (67) and Ryan Pearson (51), despite some exceptional bowling from Coomoora’s Rizan Mawzoon, who took season-best figures of 5/28 off eight overs.
In reply, Coomoora struggled with the required run-rate throughout its innings, posting 9/164 off its 40 overs.
Number 10 Justin Woodman kept the side in the hunt with an unbeaten 37 at the end of the innings, combining with Bilal Zeitoune (29) for a 61-run partnership.
But the pair had too little time to do their work, and Doveton cruised to a crucial win.
@BT Sub Sport News:Cranbourne v St Mary’s
Cranbourne has one more round to land its first win of the season after going down to St Mary’s at Casey Fields Oval on Saturday.
St Mary’s batted first and cruised to 6/163 off its 40 overs, thanks to an unbeaten half-century to Luke Byron (52), along with a solid performance from Nick McKay (39) at the top of the order.
After the change of innings Cranbourne’s batsmen were never in the hunt, and the side managed 110 off 35.5 overs.
Wicket-keeper Lucas Ligt top-scored with 25 for the home side, as St Mary’s Jesse McCartney (3/20 off eight) and Ron Prudham (3/24 off eight) kept the score down.
@BT Sub Sport News:Buckley Ridges v Keysborough
Buckley Ridges kept its faint finals hopes alive with a convincing win over Keysborough at Park Oval.
Buckley Ridges sits in sixth place, half a game outside the top four and needs to win in the final round, and for two of the three teams fighting for the final two spots in the four to lose, to make the finals.
On Saturday it had little trouble dealing with Keysborough, and Buckley Ridges’ in-form batting roster did the job again.
Will Butler (67), Paul Rudd (63) and Simon Fonceca (57) all posted half-centuries as the side reached 7/273 off the 40 overs.
Keysborough lacked the batting firepower to match it with the home side, and despite some good knocks from Varon Pradeep (38), Shiran Rajakaruna (35) and Andrew Straude (33 not out), the side could only manage 142.
Buckley Ridges’ Wes Nicholas picked up his best figures for the season, with 5/57 off eight.
@BT Sub Sport News:North Dandenong v Springvale South
Top side Springvale South will look to go the entire season undefeated after cleaning up finals contender North Dandenong at Alex Nelson Reserve on Sunday.
The two teams played the only two-day game of the round, with the match played on consecutive Sundays — avoiding the heat the week before.
The Souths showed just how far ahead they are with a convincing win over North Dandenong, restricting the home side to 116 with the bat.
Tim Ford picked up his second five-wicket haul for the season, collecting 5/17 off 12 overs, as North Dandenong endured four ducks in its innings.
Springvale South had little trouble collecting the required runs, with Rory Ingram smashing 105 not out at the top of the order.
The side cruised to 6/206 off 73 overs, while for the bowlers Scott Neeson was impressive with 2/17 off 10.
