Rudd’s ton denies Saints

A BREATHTAKING knock of 122 not out by Buckley Ridges stalwart Paul Rudd proved the difference between the two sides and helped Buckley Ridges limp across the line on day two of their Dandenong and District Cricket Association round 10 clash with St Mary’s at Park Oval.
Chasing St Mary’s 235, Ridges were in the box seat all day until three late wickets sparked the Saints and sent Ridges into panic mode. They recovered, however, to pass the Saints in the 68th over with two wickets in hand.
Rudd’s innings was perfectly timed after he started scratchily and quite slowly. Saints opening bowler Manny Coomaraswamy got the initial breakthrough, getting an edge off Ridges opener Basil Hobkirk which dollied up to second slip and was easily taken by Saints vice-captain Michael Turner.
Ridges number three and Zimbabwean import David Irvine played at and missed 15 out of his first 20 balls but got his eye in, hit the ball hard and looked dangerous. It took a good ball from DDCA representative Ash Henry to remove him.
The next two wickets fell cheaply for the Saints and the game was evenly poised, but at 4/118 it could have gone either way. However it was the next two partnerships that won the game for Ridges.
Rudd was now hitting the ball at will and with skipper Shane Simpson put on 51 for the fifth wicket before Simpson was bowled by Jonathan Nolan for 29. Glenn Rudd then put on a partnership of 53 with his brother, making only 10 but helping Ridges into a winning position. When he was removed by Dane Harkin Ridges were cruising at 6/222 with only 14 runs to make.
When Cameron McDonnell had Buckley Ridges wicketkeeper Suren Ekanayake lbw first ball of the next over and Brad Horaczko got a run out later that over, Ridges had lost 3/1 to be 8/223 and in serious danger of snatching defeat.
But Ridges opening bowler David Wheeler showed poise and held up an end until Paul Rudd bravely hit the winning runs with a lofted off-drive for four. Henry and McDonnell were the best of the Saints’ bowlers, McDonnell being brilliant in his 100th Turf One game for St Mary’s. He finished with 3/47 off 16 overs.
Rudd remaining undefeated on 122, only the second hundred made against St Mary’s in the past six years.
This week the Saints take on Dandenong West and must win outright to have any hope of playing finals, a near-impossible task. Buckley Ridges face the once mighty Hallam who find themselves in the position of having to win to avoid relegation.