Henry key for Saints

AFTER what later proved to be a valuable toss to win, St Mary’s captain Paul Sharp had no hesitation in batting in his team’s Dandenong and District Cricket Association round seven win over Doveton.
Opening batsmen Troy Cashman and Ash Henry kept the early run rate at over four an over.
The pair again put on more than 50 before Cashman was caught on the cover boundary for 17.
Aaron Dragwidge and Henry then put on 79. While Dragwidge picked up the singles, Henry lofted the Doveton attack to all parts of Robinson Reserve.
Henry was eventually caught at mid wicket three runs shy of what would have been his maiden Turf One century. His innings, however, had set the Saints up for a big score.
With 12 overs remaining the Saints were well placed at 3/140, and ended the 40 overs on 3/201 with Dragwidge on 51 and vice-captain Michael Turner on 26.
With the wicket crumbling it was a tough ask for Doveton to chase 202 runs.
Doveton’s innings started slowly with DDCA veteran Rob Turner trying to push singles and Scott Brandon attempting to hit boundaries.
Brandon hit a six on the first ball he faced from leg-spinner Henry, but was out next ball going for another six.
Andre Peters then showed he was a class above the rest with his superior timing.
Unfortunately, he fell victim of the two-paced wicket after ballooning a cut shot to gully on 37.
When Turner fell shortly after for 34, all hope seemed lost for the Doves, who reached 161 in difficult circumstances.