Narre sets Saints a slog

NARRE Warren hit a strong 255 against St Mary’s in its Dandenong District Cricket Association round-six clash on Saturday.
On a Sweeney Reserve pitch that resembled the Hume Highway and an outfield that was faster than a Will Carr bouncer, the Magpies batted sensibly taking calculated risks to ensure it would be a tough run chase for the Saints this week.
Once again it was St Mary’s all-rounder Manny Coomaraswamy opening the bowling with South African born, English recruit Jonathan Nolan who got the early breakthrough.
With the first wicket falling at 14, it looked like it was going to be an easy day for the Saints in the field.
It wasn’t to be however as the Saints didn’t get the next wicket until the Magpies put on a 66-run partnership to take their total to 80 runs. It was only through a sharp piece of fielding that they got the second and then third wicket. After two mix ups between the batsmen it was Aaron Dragwidge and Rhys Serpanchy who left the Narre Warren batsmen short of their ground taking the score to 3/100 at tea.
The Saints had hoped the momentum was turning their way and they’d be able to wrap the Magpies innings up for under 180 after tea.
An 81-run partnership immediately after tea put a stop to that way of thinking with the Saints not doing much wrong, but struggling to get a wicket.
When Coomaraswamy finally got the breakthrough the score was at 4/181.
Star leg spinner Ash Henry then claimed his first wicket after a fantastic stumping by the underrated Gary Cake. Coomaraswamy followed it up with his second wicket soon after taking the score to 6/192 at the drinks’ interval. After some words of encouragement at the break from St Mary’s stalwart Sammy Maniperri, the Saints were hoping to finish off the tail and keep the Magpies under 220.
However once again a big partnership cost them.
Narre Warren put on 40 runs for the seventh wicket taking its total to 7/232. It was only another great piece of glove work from wicketkeeper Cake that enabled the Saints to break the partnership. If it weren’t for the experience and sensible batting from Narre Warren skipper Chris Jarrett, the Saints would have rolled the Magpies for less than 220.
Jarrett got his eye in first then waited for the bad ball before hammering it to the fence.
It was Henry who eventually removed the dangerous Jarrett in the second last over of the day. Saints skipper Paul Sharp took a well-judged catch to send him back to the pavilion.
The final over was bowled by Nolan who got the ninth wicket of the Magpies’ innings with a clever piece of bowling. It left Narre Warren at 9/255 at the close of play, ensuring an exciting run chase this week. Given equivalent conditions the Saints are confident of making the runs, however Narre is in the box seat with the runs on the board.