Keysborough quick Channa Gunawardana hits the crease at Eumemmerring’s Robinson Reserve.
By Paul Pickering and Marc McGowan
TURF One cellar dwellers Parkfield and Doveton effected a brave uprising in their respective Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) fixtures on Saturday, outplaying their more fancied opponents to set up a push for points this weekend.
In other matches, Springvale South continued its imperial start to the summer, Narre Warren and St Mary’s amassed useful totals, and Berwick is well-placed against North Dandenong in the battle for second spot on the ladder.
Buckley Ridges v Parkfield
A stump-to-stump hat-trick from Parkfield paceman Dan Ferguson (5/57) reduced Buckley Ridges to 7/74 midway through day one proceedings at Park Oval on Saturday.
Ferguson’s heroics overshadowed a gutsy century from Buckley Ridges middle-order batsman Ruwan Jayadeva (123).
Jayadeva’s second ton of the summer almost single-handedly ushered his team towards a total of 202, with Paul Rudd scratching out a useful 34.
While Ferguson was the toast of his team-mates in the dressing rooms, his strike partner, Joseph McLelland (3/60), also earned his share of plaudits.
In reply, the Bears appear to be heading for first innings points, with openers Grant Milnes (48) and Brad Houghton (32 not out) combining for 89, only for Milnes to give Buckley Ridges skipper Shane D’Rozario a return catch shortly before stumps.
Coomoora v St Mary’s
A captain’s knock from Scott Atkinson (101) has St Mary’s in a strong position after the first day’s play against Coomoora.
The Saints skipper, who had suffered a series of cheap dismissals this season, made a timely return to top nick at Coomoora Reserve. He hit nine boundaries to guide his team to 6/252 before edging a Carlos Hereford delivery to Roos’ wicketkeeper Roshan Perera.
Atkinson found willing accomplices in Nick McKay (50), Wayne King (36) and Andrew Borgonha (34) throughout his innings.
King provided some quality entertainment for his team-mates and onlookers, slogging four fours and two sixes in a lively cameo that pushed St Mary’s towards a handy total of 9/267 by day’s end.
Springvale South v Cranbourne
Reigning premiership captain Craig Slocombe (109) provided the headline act in a consummate batting performance from Springvale South at Alex Nelson Reserve on Saturday.
Slocombe led successive partnerships of 97 and 96 with Steve Masterson (32) and Peter Ryan (42) to establish a formidable platform of 2/193.
When the skipper eventually fell to the bowling of Steve Miller (3/109), Andrew Sharp (59) and Danny Law (33) ensured the Springvale South juggernaut rolled on.
While Cranbourne’s Matt Moore (5/75) minimised the damage, the Eagles will be at long odds to chase down a total of 351 this weekend.
Berwick v North Dandenong
The 2007-08 DDCA season is rapidly becoming the Alex Roberts show following another sensational performance by the all-rounder at Arch Brown Reserve on the weekend.
Berwick’s Roberts (6/32) joined former Panther fast bowler James Prendergast (3/45) in destroying North Dandenong for 184. After scooting to an unbeaten 11 before the end of play, Roberts has now accumulated 307 runs at an average of 153.5 and taken 16 wickets at 9.3.
The North Dandenong batsmen were no match for Roberts’ right-arm mediums, with only David Bell (53) and Carman Mapatuna (43) making significant scores.
The pair combined for an 81-run union to have North Dandenong 2/104 before it all came crashing down.
In the 11 overs remaining before stumps, the Bears lost just one wicket on their way to 1/36.
Doveton v Keysborough
Not even a middle-order collapse could prevent Doveton from posting a strong total against Keysborough at Robinson Reserve on Saturday.
Led by quality knocks from Brett Polson (79) and inspirational former skipper Brad Downe (69), the Doves romped to 1/176.
But their 114-run partnership was almost ruined when Doveton lost 7/47 to slump to 8/223. However, some late-order hitting from Nathan Wilson (30 not out) restored the spark in the Doves’ day and took his side to 8/254.
Paul McDonald (3/59) and Mahshan Perera (3/86) were the catalysts for Keysborough’s comeback and returned the best figures for their team.
Narre Warren v Dandenong West
After electing to bat and losing both openers cheaply, Narre Warren recovered to post a total of 9/294 against lowly Dandenong West on Sunday.
Shean Vanderwert (68) led the revival, while the trio of Chris Jarrett, John Simpson and Shane Simpson were all dismissed in the 30s.
Magpie all-rounder Dave Wheeler (34 not out) survived unbeaten at stumps.
For the Bulls, Rhett McDonald (2/36), Alan Campbell (2/43) and Glen Scales (2/46) all played a part with the ball, leaving it up to their batsmen to affect an unlikely victory this Sunday.
