Cranbourne bowler Shaun Petrie approaches the crease during the Eagles’ win over Narre Warren in a low-scoring A-grade encounter on Saturday.
By Paul Pickering and Marc McGowan
A PAIR of upsets has caused a reshuffling of the Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) Turf One ladder, with Parkfield and Doveton capitalising on good starts against Buckley Ridges and Keysborough to ascend from the league’s bottom rungs.
Meanwhile, last summer’s grand final combatants Springvale South and Berwick recorded impressive wins to lock down the top two spots, St Mary’s made light work of Coomoora, and Narre Warren condemned Dandenong West to the foot of the table.
Parkfield d Buckley Ridges
Inspired by a Daniel Ferguson hat-trick the previous week, Parkfield’s batsmen came to the party at Park Oval on Saturday.
Resuming at 1/89 in pursuit of Buckley Ridges’ 202, the Bears added another 45 runs before losing the wicket of Brad Houghton (45).
And while Ferguson’s (35) cameo with the bat ended shortly after, Dale Harris (57) and Tony Payne (104 not out) soon combined to steer their side towards first innings points.
The experienced skipper and president duo added 105 runs for the sixth wicket to put an exclamation mark on the Bears’ resurgence.
The vital six points lifted Parkfield from last to ninth on the ladder.
St Mary’s d Coomoora
After surging to a total of 9/267 on the back of a captain’s ton from Scott Atkinson (101), St Mary’s took only 33 overs on Saturday morning to bank first-innings points against Coomoora.
Promising young all-rounder Jake Needham (3/41) was the chief destroyer as the Saints rapidly dismantled the Roos for a mere 84.
Only Matthew Wenke (35) provided any resistance for the home side, while Ron Prudham (2/3), Paul Taylor (2/10) and Emmanuel Coomaraswamy (2/13) all had some joy with the ball.
When asked to bat again, the Roos made a better fist of their second dig, compiling 3/114 despite another dangerous extended spell from Needham (3/33 from 14 overs).
With the win, St Mary’s leapfrogged its opponents into sixth spot.
Narre Warren d Dandenong West
Only time could save Dandenong West from an outright defeat at the hands of Narre Warren at Greaves Reserve on Saturday.
Chasing 9/294, the Bulls limped to be all out for 134 by mid-afternoon, with Narre Warren quick John Simpson (4/50) causing more than his share of headaches.
With a 10-point carrot dangled before their eyes, the Magpie bowlers were just as fearsome in the late session, reducing the Bulls to 6/101 before stumps.
This time it was Scott Simpson (3/24) who caused most problems for the Bulls, while John (2/14) went on to claim scalps number four and five for the day.
The Magpies’ third consecutive victory vaults them into third position, while the Bulls are now languishing in last place.
Springvale South d Cranbourne
Tearaway quick Nick Bole-Brown proved to be near unplayable for Cranbourne’s batsmen on his adopted home deck at Alex Nelson Reserve on Saturday.
The ex-Belgrave paceman took 5/22 from 20 overs as the defending champs floored the Eagles for 192 – some 159 runs short of their target.
Bole-Brown has now taken 16 wickets in five games, while also chipping in for some handy lower-order runs.
His relentless attack on the stumps continued this week as he hit the poles four times.
As usual, Bole-Brown received sound support from Danny Law (2/39) and Gavin Fewkes (2/45), while Cranbourne’s Shane Murdoch and skipper Ross Woodall both fell one run short of half-centuries.
Still unbeaten after five rounds, Springvale South is now nine points clear on top and showing no signs of relenting.
The Eagles have slumped to second-last with a third straight defeat.
Berwick d North Dandenong
Berwick handed fellow title contender North Dandenong a nine-wicket caning at Arch Brown Reserve on Saturday.
Alex Roberts (86) fell just short of a third straight century and opener Justin Stanton clobbered 98 as the pair combined for 186 runs to take the Bears past the winning target.
The duo resumed with the score at 1/36 in pursuit of the Maroon and Blacks’ modest 184. Early wickets were required, but none of North Dandenong’s attack could penetrate.
Roberts was out soon after guiding Berwick to success and Stanton’s dismissal marked the end of the contest at 3/213.
Wayne Taylor (1/35), Stuart Mack (1/41) and Carman Mapatuna (1/44) claimed the three scalps as the Bears leapfrogged their club into second place on the ladder.
Doveton d Keysborough
A workhorse performance from gun all-rounder Ryan Hendy lifted Doveton off the bottom of the standings on the weekend.
Hendy’s 6/76 off 24.1 overs was pivotal in the Doves’ upset 58-run victory over Keysborough at Robinson Reserve.
But, as with the side’s batting deeds the previous Saturday, there were several contributors, with the previous weekend’s stars, former skipper Brad Downe (2/29) and Brett Polson (1/33), also impressing with the leather.
Keysborough made a spirited beginning to Doveton’s 8/254 before losing its opening wicket at 60, but at 2/91 the visitors were still looking good.
Unfortunately the wheels started coming off, and, despite the efforts of middle order batsman Chanaka Gunawardana (41), Keysborough fell to 5/105 before being bowled out for 196.
