Above: Berwick’s English star Alex Roberts was in typically good form on day one of the Dandenong District Cricket Association final on Saturday.By Marc McGowan
BERWICK is the Turf One champion for the second time in three years after defeating a gallant North Dandenong by 43 runs at Wachter Reserve on the weekend.
Bears’ bladesman and Damien Fleming Medallist Paul Evans’ (93 not-out, eight fours and five sixes) magnificent early evening exploits on Saturday played a pivotal role in the triumph.
Earlier, opener Justin Stanton (45, nine fours) and captain-coach Alex Roberts (44, seven fours and one six) had helped Berwick to 2/115 before last year’s losing grand finalists slumped to 8/237.
But tailender Cam Henry (22) complimented Evans’ aggressiveness perfectly to steer the Bears to 9/289 after their 90 overs, including 62 runs off the final 60 balls.
Having chased down that exact total in its semi-final against Springvale South the previous weekend, North Dandenong had no fears.
The Maroon and Blacks began well, with David Bell (43, three fours), following a team-best 3/44 with the ball, and coach Glenn Finkelde (22) setting a strong platform.
Despite losing star batsman Carman Mapatuna cheaply, the in-form Shane Leonard (77), in what Finkelde described as his best performance, then made the sleek Keysborough surface his own.
Leonard belted 11 fours and a six in a cavalier display, moving North Dandenong to 4/180 after 60 overs and well within reach of Berwick’s effort.
But his dismissal triggered a stunning collapse as the Northerners lost 4/23, leaving Chris Clarke (19 not out) and number 10 Janahan Kumaralingham at the crease.
Clarke and Kumaralingham, who was considered a strong enough batsman to open in Turf Two, began the fightback, wielding the willow admirably.
Former Dandenong Panther James Prendergast (3/40) stepped in to remove Kumaralingham, restricting North Dandenong to 9/221.
Stuart Mack (17) then became the latest member of the lower order to showcase his batting talents, attempting to lift his side to an unlikely success.
However, the introduction of Ryan Crawford (2/18) to the attack in the 83rd over put paid to that.
Mack tried to smack Crawford’s third ball over the leg-side boundary, only to be caught by Evans in a fitting finish.
The dismissal sparked mass celebrations – and tears – as the Bears’ players and fans came together.
Finkelde was understandably downcast at the result, but was still pleased with his club’s season.
“I suppose there is always a point where you start to get over it and reflect on the positives, but we’re pretty disappointed,” he said.
“We were in danger of missing the four (at one stage), so to make the grand final after chasing down 290 in a semi-final was a great effort.
“Scoring almost 250 in a grand final would win most years.”
