By JARROD POTTER
FULL sunshine still couldn’t guarantee strong chases in the Dandenong District Cricket Association’s (DDCA) Turf 1 competition.
Buckley Ridges v Heinz Southern Districts
The Ridges’ bowling group held on against a resilient Heinz Southern Districts (197), but the Cobras will rue their recklessness in trying to chase down the runs.
Heinz started poorly with the openers and the number four dismissed for 3/19 as Jeremy Kuru (4/31) and Dan Haasbroek (3/38) got the ball to bounce and trouble the Cobras. Adam Semmens (60) proved the backbone of the innings as he flogged the ball about the postage stamp-sized Park Oval, striking seven boundaries and four sixes in his half century. Semmens and Matt Cox (38) combined for an 83-run partnership before Cox was forced back to the sheds by Kuru. Semmens was next to go, trapped in front by wily spinner Wes Nicholas (2/67). Justin Davis (27) and captain Trevor Davies (14) tried to hold the innings together, but the pair were broken by Nicholas. Travis Davis (11) held on while Justin Davis went the smack – belting three sixes – but Heinz was running out of wickets while a mountain of time remained in the game. Eventually the Cobras would fall with 16 overs still in the match and only 27 more runs to get.
Buckley Ridges now face Hallam Kalora Park away while Heinz hosts Coomoora.
Springvale South v Berwick
KING by name, king by nature. Nathan King (71) led the Springvale South (8/155) run chase against Berwick (153), with the Bloods troubled by the Bears’ bowlers. Chasing a moderate tally, King charged past the half-century mark en route to a century, but couldn’t gain enough support from the top order. Steven Masterson (15), Dylan Quirk (7), Ryan Quirk (1) and Jackson Sketcher (10) all failed to ingrain themselves to the crease. Tim Ford (280 was the next man to stand up after King was trapped in front by Jarrod Goodes (3/38) with the Bloods still needing 40 for victory. Ford found resistance at the other end from Aaron Morrison (7no), holding on for 47 balls to help guide the victory.
This week Springvale South battles Mordialloc in a second-versus-third showdown at Ben Kavanagh Reserve while Berwick hosts Dandenong West.
Hallam Kalora Park v Lyndale
The best efforts of the Booths – Leigh (95) and Cory (47) still wasn’t enough to knock off Lyndale (6/279cc). Finding themselves at the impressively horrific 2/0 following Michael Gallagher (1/16) and Tharanga Lakshita (2/47) ripping the openers out instantly. Hallam’s middle order showed backbone, with Byron (29) chipping in to support the Booths, as the brothers went on to pile up a 73-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Dale Tormey (5/44) snared his first as he found Cory Booth edging one just before his milestone and the procession started in earnest from there. Tormey snared the crucial scalp of Leigh Booth five-short of his century and from there Hallam couldn’t hold on against Lyndale’s wrath as Tormey ravaged the tail.
Lyndale now faces Parkfield in a top-four battle while Hallam Kalora Park hosts Buckley Ridges.
Coomoora v North Dandenong
Coomoora (85) is risking relegation with its lacklustre start to the season, with North Dandenong (181) walking all over the Kangaroos for the Norths’ second win.
Resistance was sporadic and inconsistent from the Kangaroos’ top order – with Luke Wenke (21) and Rahoul Pankhania (16) the only fighters among them. Coomoora crumbled to 8/56 after Jake D’Atri (0) was run out for a duck, with Jurgen Andersen (5/27) leading the Norths’ attack. Some last ditch runs from Lance Baptist (26) pushed the tally towards 100, but the Kangaroos’ hopped from the crease for a meagre 85 off only 39.5 overs.
This week Coomoora heads to Heinz for the last game of 2013 while North Dandenong hosts Narre Warren.
Dandenong West v Parkfield
The middle order response from Parkfield (8/200) was enough to best Dandenong West (121).
Failing fast at 3/49, the attack was taken to the Bulls by Parkfield’s Jack Jones (49), Steve Spoljaric (27) and Samiddha Gallage (57). Gallage knocked in his second half-century of the season to guide the Bears to a comfortable win. Snaring the scalps for the Bulls were Andrew Harry (2/24), Peter Atkinson (2/37) and Walid Ghauri (2/49).
Parkfield maintains top billing in Turf 1 and will now host Lyndale who is battling to stay in the four.
Dandenong West heads to Berwick, who will unveil Sri Lankan test cricketer Thilan Samaraweera in his first two-dayer for the club.
Coming up
The DDCA faces the VSCA for a Twenty20 match on Sunday 15 December at Casey Fields from 2.30pm – with each team featuring one player from the Dandenong Women’s Cricket Club.
An exhibition match between the Melbourne Stars Big Bash League team and a VCA All Stars team will precede the DDVA/VSCA clash at 10am.
