Saints miss shot at top

ACCURATE bowling and poor shot selection cost St Mary’s top spot on the ladder and bragging rights going into the Christmas break in the Dandenong and District Cricket Association Turf One competition.
With former ladder leader Berwick beaten top spot was up for grabs but, unfortunately for the Saints, Narre Warren bundled them out for 159 on a good batting wicket.
In one of the tightest seasons in recent memory, St Mary’s finds itself in sixth position but only three points, or half a game, from top spot.
The day started off well again for the Saints with openers Troy Cashman and Ash Henry off to another flyer.
Henry hit several early boundaries over the infield, and Cashman was the first to go after missing a full toss and judged lbw for 15.
At 1/45 the Saints were well positioned, but Henry (28) played a pull shot two balls later that went straight up in the air and was easily caught.
Poor shot selection continued to haunt the Saints when Rhys Serpanchy, Aaron Dragwidge then Nick McKay were all out playing at balls outside off stump that could have easily been let through to the wicketkeeper.
This ripped the heart out of the run chase, leaving the Saints reeling at 5/72.
There was still optimism in the St Mary’s camp as captain Paul Sharp and vice-captain Michael Turner, who have lifted the Saints out of trouble on a few occasions already this year, were still at the crease.
But Turner was clean bowled before tea with the score 6/110.
St Mary’s still believed if it could bat for the remaining 40 overs with the lightning fast outfield, it was a chance.
With former opener Gary Cake and Sharp at the crease there was still some hope, but Sharp was bowled in the first over after the break.
With the score at 7/127 a win looked unlikely at best for the Saints, and the remaining three wickets fell cheaply.
Cake was the last batsman dismissed, top scoring with 33, with Jonathan Nolan carrying his bat.
The Saints’ middle order is under pressure with Adrian Fonceca, Nathan Chalk and Kane Arnold churning out the runs in the lower grades.
The Saints have a tough run home after Christmas with games against Berwick, Dandenong West and Parkfield, needing to win at least three of the last five matches to make the finals.