Bloods run hot

Parkfield’s Brad Houghton trudges off after being run out by Berwick. 41364 Picture: Kim Cartmell

By Gavin Staindl
SPRINGVALE SOUTH has catapulted into the Dandenong and District Cricket Association Turf One top four after upsetting North Dandenong in a one-dayer at Lois Twohig Reserve.
Winning the toss and batting first, North Dandenong posted 9/129 on the back of Scott Neeson (35) but struggled to score off Springvale South’s opening bowlers Nick Bole-Brown (3/13) and Dillon Fernandesz (1/18).
In reply and at 4/40 Springvale South’s Michael Davies (62) and Andrew Sharp (18) combined for 42 runs to provide the turning point of the match – that could well be the turning point of the year for Springvale South.
Buckley Ridges has also snuck into the top four after beating St Mary’s by three wickets in an incredible comeback game at Park Oval.
St Mary’s reached 203 in the 40 overs with Luke Byron (50) and Reuben Paul (65) giving their team the best chance to leap into the top four.
However, in an amazing turn of events, Buckley Ridges’ two lower-order batters put on a 157-run partnership to take their team from an all-but game over situation of 6/19 to 7/186 by the time Shane D’Rozario (80) was stumped.
Eighth batter Paul Rudd (77 not out) saw to it that the winning runs were hit with an over to spare.
Meanwhile, Parkfield has dropped out of the top four after their three-wicket loss to Berwick at Parkfield Reserve.
Parkfield opener Ryan Pitts (52) stuck around in the middle but was let down by his batters who failed to hit out with wickets in hand.
The 167 was no match for Berwick who, with the help of danger men Brad Francis (60) and Paul Evans (41), managed to reach the target with an over left in reserve.
A 113-run opening partnership was not good enough for Keysborough as they succumbed to Narre Warren by four wickets at Keysborough Reserve.
Despite scoring 216, the second highest score for the weekend in Turf One, Narre Warren came up trumps racing to 217 with three overs to spare.
Keysborough opener Shiran Rajakaruna (71) set the foundations of the innings but was undone by Nathan King (4/46).
In reply, Narre Warren’s Ryan Christie went tonks, smashing 77 off 46 balls that included 50 runs in boundaries and lifted his side to an unlikely away win.
Meanwhile, Coomoora has failed with the bat and ball and crumbled to 92 in reply to Doveton’s 172 at Robinson Reserve.