Parkfield opener Brad Houghton drives through the covers for four against Berwick on Saturday.
By Paul Pickeringand Marc McGowan
THE Dandenong District Cricket Association’s (DDCA) summer of cricket begun in earnest on Saturday, with fine weather allowing six Turf One sides to take the crease for their first hit-outs.
Springvale South and North Dandenong continued on their merry way after convincing wins in round one, while reigning Turf Two premier Coomoora displayed its bowling depth against Cranbourne.
St Mary’s v Narre Warren
After two weekends of thumb-twiddling, St Mary’s finally made its way to the crease on Saturday, hosting Narre Warren at Carroll Reserve.
Openers Troy Cashman (25) and Scott Atkinson (19) provided a solid foundation for the Saints with a partnership of 48, before Narre Warren speedster Dave Wheeler (4/60) claimed both their scalps in quick succession.
Wheeler struck again after Luke Byron (49) and Nick McKay (41) had revived the innings, allowing Dwayne Scott (5/63) to tear through the St Mary’s lower order.
An explosive knock from tail-ender Paul Taylor guided the Saints to a respectable total of 228.
In an awkward twilight session of six overs before stumps, Narre Warren lost the crucial wickets of Michael Dennis and Omar Baker to the bowling of Emmanuel Coomaraswamy (2/12) – adding just 19 runs.
Doveton v Springvale South
Springvale South’s promising premiership defence continued as it travelled to Doveton’s Robinson Reserve to amass a total of 8/305 on Saturday.
The innings was dominated by a 112-run second-wicket partnership between Steve Masterson (47) and new recruit Sam Delaney (59).
Having guided their team to a strong position, the pair fell in identical fashion – caught by Shannon Roscoe from the bowling of Glen Lothian (4/45).
Andrew Sharp then emerged to victimise the Doves attack, carving out an unbeaten 75 to go with 52 not out against Coomoora last week.
Sharp received plenty of support from the likes of Danny Law (34), Peter Ryan (24) and Damien Simmons (20), with only Brett Polson (3/50) troubling the batsmen in the late overs.
Chasing a healthy total, the Doves will now have little option but to go after Springvale South’s deep bowling attack on Saturday.
Berwick v Parkfield
Berwick has a challenge on its hands after Parkfield put up a competitive total at Arch Brown Reserve on Saturday.
Sporting a new-look opening attack of James Prendergast and Mark Dinnie, the Bears were unable to snare an early wicket.
English star Alex Roberts (2/52) made the initial breakthrough at 35 and Berwick then restricted Parkfield to 3/70.
But Tony Payne (51 not out) and captain Dale Harris (43) produced a 76-run alliance to guide their side into a strong position.
Introducing himself into the game, new Bears captain Ash Henry (4/77) took some important wickets in the middle order to bring Berwick back into the contest.
However, cameos by Beau Dowler (23) and junior prospect Nicholas Angelopoulos (17 not out) dragged the Parkfield score to 7/250.
Coomoora v Cranbourne
A supreme team bowling performance by Coomoora has Cranbourne hanging by a thread in the teams’ clash at Coomoora Reserve.
The Eagles were dismissed for 228 in 70 overs, but it could have been worse if not for the contributions of Shane Murdoch (69), Matt Moore (30) and Daniel Diwell (30).
Cranbourne slumped to 6/123 before Murdoch and Moore combined for 87 runs to give their team some sort of chance.
Five Roos bowlers pocketed wickets, with Dillon Fernandesz (2/22), Rohan Paulpillai (2/32) and Rizan Mawzoon (2/55) claiming multiple victims.
In nine overs before the end of play, Andrew King (11 not out) and Dirk Solomons (10 not out) steered Coomoora to 22 without loss.
Keysborough v Buckley Ridges
Thwarted by rain in their respective first round clashes, Keysborough and Buckley Ridges basked in the sunshine at Keysborough Reserve on Saturday.
Winning the toss and batting, Buckley Ridges dawdled to a score of 9/203 from its 80 overs.
Richard Hope (80) and Glen Rudd (31) combined for the most meaningful partnership of the day to score 67 for the seventh wicket, while Suren Ekanayake (20) finished unbeaten.
For Keysborough, paceman Channa Gunawardana (4/67) was a workhorse, bowling 11 maidens in his 28 overs for the day.
North Dandenong v Dandenong West
North Dandenong all but accounted for cross-town rival Dandenong West on day one at Lois Twohig Reserve, skittling the Bulls for 153 before racing to 1/103 at stumps.
Only opener Mark Winter (54) provided any real resistance as David Bell (3/14), Wayne Taylor (3/49) and Glen Pepper (2/26) ensured there was no respite for the Bulls batsman in their first dig for the summer.
In response, openers Shane Clark (58) and Glenn Finkelde (39 not out) wasted no time in blasting their way to 96 before Clark’s wicket was claimed by Shannon Marum shortly before stumps.
North Dandenong will be expected to knock off the remaining runs on Saturday morning.
