Left: Berwick’s Alex Roberts smashed an unbeaten 158 to lead the Bears to a victory over Doveton on Saturday.
By Paul Pickering and Marc McGowan
KEYSBOROUGH has claimed the first outright victory of the Dandenong District Cricket Association season, hustling through St Mary’s on Saturday to ascend to second spot on the Turf One table.
Meanwhile, reigning Turf Two premier Coomoora announced its arrival in the top league with a victory over North Dandenong, Springvale South pummelled Parkfield, Berwick accounted for Doveton and Narre Warren survived a close encounter with Buckley Ridges.
Coomoora d North Dandenong
After watching skipper Rohan Paulpillai knock out a masterful ton the previous weekend, Coomoora’s total of 315 looked under threat as North Dandenong settled into the task on Saturday morning.
Opening duo David Bell (50) and Glenn Finkelde (20) set a solid foundation of 62 before latter became the first victim of speedster Dillon Fernandesz (3/36).
And while a succession of middle-order batsmen managed to get a start for North Dandenong – including Kevin Leonard (35) and Adrian Baltruschaitis (29) – none could gain a legitimate foothold.
Roos quick Rizan Mawzoon (3/57) returned for another spell to claim three late wickets and condemn North Dandenong to a 93-run defeat.
Narre Warren d Buckley Ridges
Chasing 238, Narre Warren resumed at 0/7 on a sun-baked Park Oval on Saturday.
But the loss of openers Matt Darvell and Michael Dennis in quick succession saw the Magpies struggling at 2/11 as John Simpson joined skipper Wendell Perumal at the crease.
The pair formed a match-defining partnership of 143 to steer the Magpies towards first innings points.
While Perumal fell for 54, Simpson (100) began again with fellow all-rounder Shane Simpson (55) to take Narre Warren within 30 runs of victory.
And as the Magpie tail tumbled rapidly to the pace of Anthony Clarke-Bruce (4/65) and Shane D’Rozario (3/50), only Simpson could keep the Narre Warren ship afloat, with Buckley Ridges claiming the last wicket with the score on 246.
The result places both teams in a six-way deadlock in the middle of the Turf One ladder.
Keysborough d St Mary’s
Having skittled St Mary’s for a measly 88, Keysborough was poised to push for outright victory as it resumed at 5/157 – with Shiran Rajukarana unbeaten on 108.
While most would have thought Rajukarana’s stunning solo stand on day one would be tough to top, St Mary’s paceman Emmanuel Coomaraswamy accomplished that feat by claiming figures of 8/67 as Keysborough fell for 208.
But as St Mary’s took a 120-run deficit into its second dig, only opener Troy Cashman (82) managed to provide any sustained resistance to the Keysborough attack, with Mahshan Perera claiming 6/24 to have the Saints all out for 147 in 61 overs.
Requiring just 27 runs to secure the full 10 points for the match, Keysborough reached the total with the loss of one wicket.
The result sees Keysborough catapult to second spot on the Turf One ladder.Springvale South d Parkfield
An evenly poised contest at Parkfield Reserve swiftly swung towards the away team as Springvale South snared 5/37 early on Saturday.
Parkfield momentarily regained its composure during a 41-run partnership between skipper Dale Harris (37) and Manisha Dabarera (11), but when Harris departed the wheels fell off.
Springvale South’s accomplished strike force of Gavin Fewkes (3/11), Nick Bole-Brown (3/40), Brad Sessler (2/17) and Danny Law (2/35) combined with devastating effect to ensure a convincing first innings victory.
Law then used the remaining 23 overs to build some form with the bat, scoring an entertaining 58 as the visitors finished the day at 3/111.
Springvale South sits five points clear on top of the table, having recorded first innings wins in each of its three matches.
Berwick d Doveton
Alex Roberts completed his first match as captain-coach with a virtuoso batting performance to lead Berwick to a five-wicket triumph over Doveton at Arch Brown Reserve on Saturday.
The Englishman smashed a brilliant unbeaten 158 to go with his 6/24 on day one, while the ever-reliable Gavan Wills contributed 40.
The pair scored the bulk of the Bears’ 6/281, easily surpassing the Doves’ 209, which was paced by Sean Paynter (65 not out) and Nathan Wilson (40).
Wilson did his best with the ball too, pocketing 4/50, but captain-coach Glen Lothian (1/63) was the only other wicket-taker despite eight bowlers being used.
The victory moved Berwick into fourth place and consigned the Doves to bottom spot.
