Saints a chance against Berwick

BERWICK compiled a competitive 217 in its round eight Dandenong District Cricket Association turf one clash with St Mary’s on Saturday.
On a lush and slow outfield, Berwick batted sensibly to go in as favourite this week with runs on the board.
The day started well for St Mary’s with early wickets.
Berwick opening batsman Steve Carr was the first to go, caught at bat-pad off Jonathan Nolan for three. Fellow opening bowler Emanuel Coomaraswamy struck a short time later, clean bowling Berwick’s Wayne Staniforth for 15.
When Nolan had dangerous opening batsman Justin Stanton out for 15, the Saints had Berwick reeling at 3/33.
This brought Berwick captain David Hampton to the crease along with former St Mary’s player Gavan Wills.
Hampton showed he’s a class player with shots to all parts of Carroll Reserve and with Wills, who is regarded as one of the most technically correct batsmen in the competition, the pair put on 82 for the fourth wicket and revived the Berwick innings.
When Saints all rounder Ash Henry finally had Wills caught in the deep for 31, Berwick was back on track at 4/115.
Former Berwick captain-coach Brad Mollineux started off nervously, but eventually found his feet before being out caught for 15.
The big wicket of Hampton followed, bowled by Henry for a great knock of 82 and when big-hitter Rowan Nancarrow was dismissed, Berwick was in trouble again at 7/171.
Berwick all-rounder Ryan Crawford and former Victorian paceman Will Carr batted cleverly and put on 41 for the next wicket.
The last two wickets fell cheaply and Berwick was all out for 217 with Will Carr 31 not out.
While its ground fielding was excellent, St Mary’s was kicking itself at stumps after putting down 10 chances throughout the day.
St Mary’s will go in confident this week but knows it will face one of the most imposing forces in local cricket in former Victorian spearhead Will Carr.
The Saints will be aiming to bat their full quota of 80 overs.