Wickers winners at the wicket

By Stuart Teather
THE first round of the Dandenong District Cricket Association’s two-day games began in style on Saturday, with the batsmen dominating in most of the matches.
Turf One heavyweight Berwick finally found some form with the willow, but it was the newly promoted Hallam-Kalora Park that starred at the crease, reaching 5/388 before the close of play in its game against St Mary’s.
Turf One
Springvale South v Cranbourne
Springvale South captain Craig Slocombe continued his stunning start to the season with his second century in a row, leading his side to a healthy first innings total of 310 against Cranbourne.
Playing at Alex Nelson Reserve, Slocombe was again the star with the bat, reaching his century before being caught out without further addition to his score.
Plenty of his teammates made solid starts, with Michael Davies (35) the best of the bunch.
Cranbourne’s bowlers had a difficult day and Kyle Brooke was the best of the bunch, with figures of 3/77 off 20 overs.
Parkfield v Narre Warren
Narre Warren survived a top-order collapse to post a healthy 281 off 61.4 overs in its clash against Parkfield at Parkfield Reserve.
Of the visitors’ top five batsmen, only Ruwantha Fernandopulle (27) made double figures, before Ryan Christie found his way to the crease at number six.
With the side at 5/62, Christie combined with Shane Simpson to lift Narre Warren out of trouble with a 147-run partnership.
Simpson fell for 88 but Christie kept on going, eventually falling for 109 when his side was at 8/263.
Hemantha Alles (3/54) led the bowling charge for Parkfield, with good support from Mark Butters (3/57).
In reply, Parkfield reached 1/39 before stumps were called.
Keysborough v Berwick
Berwick won the toss and went into bat at Keysborough Reserve, and the decision appeared to pay dividends early.
A 47-run stand between openers Justin Stanton and Brad Francis got the visitors off to a good start, but when Stanton was dismissed for 17, and Alex Roberts (3) a few balls later, Keysborough looked the better side.
But Francis was immovable at the crease, and he forged a 124-run third-wicket partnership with Gavan Wills (48), then a 114-run partnership with Paul Evans (82 not out) before finally falling for 129, helping his side to 7/314 at stumps.
For Keysborough, Paul McDonald was the standout bowler, finishing with impressive figures of 4/90 off 35 overs, including eight maidens.
Hallam-Kalora Park v St Mary’s
Hallam-Kalora Park took control of its game against St Mary’s at Alex Nelson Reserve on Sunday, with the side thumping its way to 5/388 at the end of the day’s play.
After opener Michael Torcasio (14) fell cheaply, brothers Leigh and Cory Booth took up the chase and belted 274 runs for the second wicket.
Leigh was the first to fall, for 145, and Cory fell 20 runs later for 133, but by then the damage was well and truly done. Andrew Haining claimed both of the brothers’ scalps, just reward for a difficult bowling spell that fetched 2/88 of 15 overs.
Buckley Ridges v Coomoora
Fresh off a victory against reigning premier Berwick, Buckley Ridges found itself in an engrossing battle with Coomoora, and the two sides are evenly poised heading into day two this weekend.
Coomoora batted first and opener Andrew King (52) made a good start, and established a solid 82-run partnership with number four Manoj Hettiarachchi (40).
A strong performance from number 10 David Nutting (40 not out) helped the side to 204, after a middle-order collapse had the side at one stage at 7/134.
For Buckley Ridges, Anthony Clarke-Bruce collected handy figures of 3/36 off 16 overs, and Westley Nicholas picked up 3/41 off 15.
In reply, Buckley Ridges struggled in the 20 overs before stumps, ending the day on 2/39.