Buckley Ridges batsman Steve Pennock defends solidly on his way to 122 against Narre Warren on Saturday.
By Paul Pickering and Marc McGowan
BOWLING first was the order of the day as round three of the Dandenong District Cricket Association season got under way on Saturday.
Overcast conditions and forecasts of drizzle prompted all but one of the skippers who won the toss to elect to field.
Given the lively pitches presented across the Turf One venues, Coomoora’s effort in compiling 9/315 against North Dandenong may have been the stand-out result of day one.
Meanwhile, Dandenong West has already accounted for Cranbourne in a low-scoring contest at Greaves Reserve.
Buckley Ridges v Narre Warren
With the score 2/0 and then 3/13, Narre Warren skipper Wendell Perumal’s decision to send Buckley Ridges in to bat at Park Oval was looking good for the Magpies on Saturday.
But Steve Pennock (122) arrived at the crease to orchestrate a gutsy rear-guard action, combining firstly with Ruwan Jayadeva (37) and then Basil Hobkirk (28) to salvage a more than respectable first innings total of 238.
Having resurrected the innings, Pennock was eventually trapped by Magpie speedster Dave Wheeler with the score at 9/229.
Wheeler claimed an impressive 6/66 in 19.3 overs, with John Simpson (2/35) and Shane Simpson (1/36) chipping in to ensure a steady flow of wickets throughout the afternoon.
In reply, Narre Warren survived an awkward five-over twilight session to be 0/7 at stumps on day one.
Parkfield v Springvale South
Having knocked off last season’s Turf One runner-up in round two, Parkfield had reigning premier Springvale South in its sights on Saturday.
It was an ideal start for the Bears as well, with Daniel Ferguson penetrating the defence of Springvale South skipper Craig Slocombe before he could trouble the scoreboard attendants.
At 4/50 another upset was on the cards, but Springvale South’s tail wagged enthusiastically to reach 238 before Stephen Cannon (5/51) could end the innings with his fifth scalp of the day.
Gavin Fewkes (49) and Damien Simmons (47) fell agonisingly short of half-centuries, while tearaway quick Nick Bole-Brown (38) added value with the bat.
Responding, Parkfield looked to have negotiated an eight-over spell to end day one, but John O’Hare fell minutes before stumps.
The Bears will resume at 1/23 at Parkfield Reserve this Saturday.
Keysborough v St Mary’s
Keysborough will be gunning for an outright victory against St Mary’s this Saturday after skittling the Saints for 88 before tea at Keysborough Reserve.
Electing to bowl on the first day, Keysborough took full advantage of the gloomy conditions to snare both Saints openers with the score locked at 19.
St Mary’s all-rounder Jake Needham (29) provided some resistance to the onslaught, yet could not find a willing partner at the other end.
Sundries (24) were the next best contributor to the St Mary’s cause, with nine batsmen losing their wickets for less than 10 runs.
Keysborough skipper Paul McDonald bowled an inspired spell of 8.5 overs to snare 5/16, while Channa Gunawardana (2/27), Mahshan Perera (2/14) and Dhunushka Ekanayake (1/13) kept the wickets tumbling.
Keysborough’s batting line-up could easily have suffered the same fate if not for the resilience of Shiran Rajakaruna (108 not out), who scored an imperious century to lead his team to 5/157 at stumps. St Mary’s paceman Emmanuel Coomaraswamy (4/47) is shaping as the primary threat to Keysborough’s tilt at outright points on resumption this Saturday.
North Dandenong v Coomoora
Coomoora captain-coach Rohan Paulpillai (104) scored a supreme century to lead his charges to a formidable total of 9/315 against North Dandenong at Lois Twohig Reserve.
The Sri Lankan skipper was well-supported by opener Andrew King (54) and Matthew Wenke (66) throughout his knock, before Dillon Fernandesz arrived to compile an unbeaten 27 to guide the Roos past 300. While North Dandenong’s attack struggled to get the early breakthrough, the introductions of David Bell (4/65), Glen Pepper (2/53) and Adrian Baltruschaitis (2/90) enabled them to stem the flow of runs.
Having fallen just 10 runs short of a win against Cranbourne last round, the Roos will be desperate to announce their arrival in Turf One with their first win on Saturday afternoon.
They will be defending the biggest first innings total of the round.
Dandenong West d Cranbourne
Despite another brilliant performance from Shane Murdoch, Cranbourne succumbed by three wickets to Dandenong West in a low-scoring tussle at Greaves Reserve on Saturday.
Murdoch’s hot streak continued with an unbeaten 34 and figures of 3/21 to carry his side to the brink of victory.
Jason Hameeteman (17) was the only other Eagle to reach double digits as Cranbourne mustered just 82.
Bulls openers Mark Winter (11) and Matthew Sofoulis (7) reached 20 without loss in reply, but the wickets began to tumble.
Paul Ferrari-Mela (4/30) and Matthew Moore (2/31) claimed two wickets apiece to restrict Dandenong West to 4/26. A recovery ensued, but another collapse saw Dandenong West fall to 7/66, and the Eagles were suddenly in with a chance.
However, Shannon Marum (25) stepped in to steady the ship and guide his side to the triumph.
