Above: Hallam batsman Kursley Piston is soundly beaten by a ripping leg spinner from a HSD bowler in the first round of Dandenong and District Cricket Association action.
By Glen Atwell
IT’S been a long time coming, but football is finally finished and cricket has swung back into action.
Saturday was the first day of the 2006-07 Dandenong and District Cricket Association (DDCA) season and some amazing individual performances headlined the play.
Benjamin Watson blasted an unbeaten double century for Buckley Ridges’ Turf Three side, leaving Springvale with plenty of work to do on the weekend.
With the ball, Berwick’s Ashley Henry bamboozled the Buckley Ridges batsmen and took 6/47 in their first XI clash.
In Turf One competition St Mary’s (7/230cc) have landed in a winning position against Narre Warren.
Luke Byron was the star of the show for the Saints, scoring 106 not out and leaving the Narre Warren bowlers scratching their heads.
Henry’s sensational bowling allowed Berwick to dismiss Buckley Ridges for 166 in their match at Arch Brown Reserve.
Berwick batted late in the day and managed to add 30 runs for the loss of one wicket before the close of play.
Springvale South put together the best team performance of the day, smashing 6/272 declared with the bat.
Springvale then rattled Keysborough with the ball, taking 4/13 before the end of play and heading towards an outright victory.
Parkfield and North Dandenong will do battle for first innings points when play resumes at Parkfield Reserve on Saturday.
North Dandenong was dismissed for 116 but fought back, stalling Parkfield at 8/89 when stumps were called.
Cranbourne would be hopeful of snaring its first points of the season when it resumes at 3/71, chasing the Southern Pirates’ 161.
Matthew Moore put the hole in the Pirate ship, collecting 4/18 from his 12-over spell.
Dandenong West trumped Doveton with both bat and ball in their weekend match.
Batting first, Doveton’s Michael Tibballs (37) and Ryan Hendy (35) showed signs of promise, but Dandenong bowler Shannon Marum’s 3/39 turned the game in the West’s favour.
Doveton collapsed to be all out for 109.
With the bat, Michael Clayden led the way for Dandenong, smashing five fours in his innings of 39.
At close of play, Dandenong West was 7/155.
