Above: Dandenong West bowler Benn Logan launches into his bowling action. Logan proved no real trouble for the Berwick batsmen, going for more than six runs an over from his seven-over spell.
By Glen Atwell
THE season is over for Dandenong and District Cricket Association Turf One side Dandenong West after it lost to Berwick in the semi-final last weekend.
On its home turf at Greaves Reserve, Dandenong West could not chase down the target of 281 set by Berwick, and collapsed to be all out for 141 in the 42nd over.
On Saturday Berwick survived early trouble at 2/13, and went on to bat for 82 overs.
Dave Hampton (64) and Chris Underwood (85) were instrumental in setting Dandenong West a big chase, as Ryan Crawford (37) and Simon Cornell (26) also helped push the total past 280.
In hot weather on Sunday, Dandenong West never threatened to reach the target as Berwick bowler Jarrod Goodes ripped through the batting line-up.
Goodes took 4/11 from just four overs, and collected the prize wicket of Dandenong West opener Benn Logan (12).
But it was Underwood (2/54) who completed a match-winning performance on Sunday, taking the wickets from 13 overs and backing up his impressive knock the day before.
In the other semi-final, Springvale South easily accounted for North Dandenong at Alex Nelson Reserve.
North Dandenong batted first and posted 240. The innings was dominated by Adrian Baltruschaitis, who scored 99 not out and was denied his first century of the season when tailender Cameron Pepper was run out to end the North Dandenong innings.
On a hard wicket the target seemed competitive, but Springvale South (3/243) blasted its way to victory in 70 overs as Craig Slocombe (77) and Andrew Sharp (58 not out) asserted their dominance over the North Dandenong bowlers.
Daniel Law (52 not out) lifted his batting average to more than 45 in another aggressive batting display.
Pepper was the only North Dandenong bowler to find success, finishing with 2/44 from 17 overs.
