Carr sinks Saints’ hopes

ST MARY’S failed in its run chase of 217 against Berwick in its round eight day two Dandenong District Cricket Association clash on Saturday falling 72 runs short.
Berwick rattled an ordinary St Mary’s for 145.
It was a Will Carr-inspired Berwick that ran through a brittle St Mary’s middle order, tearing the heart out of the Saints chances with a devastating 5/25 off 15 overs.
In stifling hot conditions the Saints plan of attack was to wear down the Berwick bowlers early and cash in towards the end of the day when they fatigued.
The run chase got off to a horror start however losing the white hot Ash Henry in only the third over of the day.
Henry tried to pull a Will Carr bouncer and the ball was skied and eventually taken well by Carr.
St Mary’s number-three Aaron Dragwidge then came to the crease and along with the evergreen Troy Cashman put on 44 for the second wicket.
The pair saw off the dangerous Carr who had been sending them through lightning quick, but with the extreme heat could only bowl in short spells.
It took a very handy piece of glove work from Berwick wicketkeeper Steve Carr that enabled David Hampton to get Dragwidge stumped down the leg side for 18.
Cashman and Saints wicketkeeper Gary Cake then put on 24 for the next wicket. Both batted patiently and worked on the theory that the Berwick bowlers would eventually tire and the bad ball would come more often.
Unfortunately for the Saints it suffered a fatal blow when Cashman ballooned a drive off Berwick spinner Lloyd that was easily taken by Hampton.
Cake followed suit 13 runs later, edging Will Carr to brother Steve in Will’s second spell. It left the Saints going to tea at 4/88 still confident in the belief that the Berwick attack would tire and they’d be able to take advantage of some wayward bowling later in the day.
Several Berwick players had showers at the interval instead of tea and the move paid dividends for tearaway Carr, who came out breathing fire.
He took a wicket in the first over after tea removing vice-captain Michael Turner who was clean bowled by Carr.
Lloyd then got Saints captain Paul Sharp caught in close and when Rhys Serpanchy was adjudged lbw to Will Carr the following over it left the Saints at 7/99 and in a pickle.
Sadly for the Saints worse was to come with Dane Harkin and veteran Cameron McDonnell dismissed shortly after in quick succession leaving the Saints red faced at 9/104.
It left St Mary’s all rounder Emanuel Coomaraswamy and Jonathan Nolan at the crease to show the Saints batsman how it should be done. The pair put on 41 for the last wicket that frustrated Berwick no end.
When Nolan finally fell in the 64th over, the Saints had scrambled to be all out for 145. Nolan made eight and Coomaraswamy was unbeaten on 30.
To play finals cricket St Mary’s must now win all three remaining games against Parkfield, Buckley Ridges and Dandy West.
Parkfield and Dandy West will test the Saints, as they are two of the strongest sides in the competition.