Skipper Rohan Paulpillai top-scored for Coomoora against Doveton at Coomoora Reserve on Saturday.By Paul Pickering
THE scramble for a Turf One finals berth continued in the Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) on the weekend as teams entered the penultimate round of an engaging regular season.
While Berwick tightened its grip on top spot with a dominant batting performance at St Mary’s, the three remaining finals spots look likely to go to Springvale South, North Dandenong, Buckley Ridges or Parkfield.
Saturday’s day one results, however, did little to clarify the finals picture.
Dandenong West v Parkfield
Eighteen wickets fell at Greaves Reserve on Saturday as a resurgent Parkfield side narrowly took the day’s honours against Dandenong West.
Parkfield, looking to jump into the top four after three consecutive wins, was invited to bat by Bulls skipper Alan Campbell.
And after an acceptable start, the Bears lost four wickets in the 40s before falling to 9/85 on the back of destructive spells from Glen Scales (4/33) and Matt Meehan (4/62).
But tail-ender Shane Doig (31) joined club president Tony Payne (43 not out) at the crease to form a vital 53-run 10th-wicket partnership, frustrating the raging Bulls’ attack as Parkfield’s score bulged to 139.
In reply, Dandenong West lost wickets steadily throughout the afternoon to fall to 8/74 at stumps, with Doig (3/19) and Joseph McLelland (3/27) starring with the ball.
Keysborough v North Dandenong
Last-placed Keysborough looks to be on its way to an upset first-innings victory over North Dandenong at Keysborough Reserve.
Keysborough has already eaten into North Dandenong’s meagre total of 154, with Mahesh Karunaratna (25 not out) and Ben Staines (11 not out) guiding their side to 1/58 at stumps.
Earlier, it was Channa Gunawardana (5/73) and Andrew Champman (3/43) who ploughed through the North Dandenong batting line-up, restricting the visitors to a vulnerable total.
In a summer that has only reaped one victory for Keysborough, third-placed North Dandenong would indeed be a prized scalp.Coomoora v Doveton
Coomoora’s finals hopes are hanging by a thread after posting a mediocre total of 134 against lowly Doveton on Saturday.
The Turf Two premiers have battled admirably after being promoted this summer, but will need their bowlers to jump all over the Doves next Saturday if they are to remain within striking distance of an unlikely top-four berth.
Doveton pair Brad Downe (4/22) and Corrie Wilson (3/34) ensured a steady fall of wickets throughout the afternoon, while Roos skipper Rohan Paulpillai (27) top-scored for the home side.
In reply, the Doves meandered to 1/33 from 24 overs before stumps and will be out to claim a late-season consolation victory this weekend.
Springvale South v Narre Warren
Springvale South made a solid – if unspectacular – attempt to halt its late-season form slump against an equally down-beat Narre Warren on Saturday.
While there was no sign of the batting exhibitions the reigning Turf One premiers put on earlier in the summer, useful contributions from Andrew Sharp (49 not out), Danny Law (44), Lance MacDougall (33) and Sam Delaney (28) guided their team to a total of 204.
For the Magpies, Chris Jarrett (3/40) and Dave Wheeler (3/52) did enough to give the visitors an outside chance of victory this Saturday.
With Narre Warren set to resume at 1/13, Springvale South will be fancied to cement second spot with first innings points.
St Mary’s v Berwick
After losing three early wickets, Berwick’s stars took over to move their club into a good position against St Mary’s at Carroll Reserve on Saturday.
But, for once, Alex Roberts (1) was not among the runs, with Gavan Wills (119) and Ash Henry (111) stealing the show.
Their centuries were much-needed after the Saints restricted the Bears to 3/15.
Last year’s leading Turf One wicket-taker Emmanuel Coomaraswamy (2/72) had two of the victims and St Mary’s was threatening to produce a boilover.
Wills and Henry stepped in to clobber an innings-saving 214-run partnership before Andrew Haining (3/82) claimed both their scalps.
Some further hitting from Berwick’s middle order pushed the score to 6/285 from its 80 overs.
Cranbourne v Buckley Ridges
Cranbourne was unable to hold off a spirited Buckley Ridges attack at Casey Fields on the weekend.
The Eagles made a solid enough start before regular wickets resulted in them being bowled out short of stumps for 193.
The struggling Daniel Diwell (48) top-scored for Cranbourne, while Dean McDonell was next best with 30.
Daniel Watson (4/45) was the pick of the Ridges bowlers, but there were three other multiple wicket takers.
The Buckley Ridges opening batsmen chose safety over a few extra runs in the four overs before the end of play, eventually finishing on 0/3.
