By JARROD POTTER
Dandenong District Cricket Association
BRUSHING off a top-order collapse, Springvale South (8/279cc) pushed through to set a troubling tally for Buckley Ridges to chase.
The Ridges – still smarting after their ejection from last year’s finals’ series – came out breathing fire. The Bloods struggled to stay at the crease as Lukas Hoogenboom (1/31), and recently returned Premier cricketer Hussain Ali (1/37) made the early going difficult at Harold Road.
Buckley Ridges’ man-mountain Dan Haasbroek (3/44) took a pair of decisive wickets to leave Springvale South 4/25. This brought captain Craig Slocombe (99) to the crease alongside dour top-order batsman Steve Masterson (51). Seeing off the rampaging quicks, Slocombe and Masterson were able to cash in when the spinners arrived taking the Bloods off the drip. Slocombe took particular pleasure belting Matt Goodwright (0/47) over his head and into local front gardens as he belted nine boundaries and six sixes to rocket along to 99 before he was undone by Wes Nicholas (2/76). It would have been Slocombe’s third century in five innings had he not been held on by Jayson Hobbs to halt him one short.
With the Masterson-Slocombe stand accruing 133, it was a case of swapping one belter for another as Jarryd Armitage (70) strolled to the crease with one thing in mind. Armitage flogged five each of fours and sixes to keep the headache up for Buckley Ridges. Adding 65 for the sixth wicket, after Masterson departed following a gutsy 192-ball innings, Armitage continued his walloping with Andrew Sharp (22) also getting among the boundaries. The Ridges will need 280 for victory next week.
THOSE who signed off Parkfield (227) might want to look at the scorecard as the Bears proved there’s plenty of muscle left in the reigning premiers. The gulf between last season’s first and 11th teams was on display at Coomoora Road. Matt Aslett (61) and David Ford (50 not out) mustered their mightiest efforts to push the total into the double-century region with Travis D’Souza (21) and the “will-he, won’t he retire” Tony Payne (31) smashing out crucial digs. Featuring a new-look bowling attack, The Kangaroos had serviceable efforts from Chris Konings (2/15), Jessie Smyth and captain Rob Johnston (2/78).
HALLAM KALORA PARK (9/214cc) similarly suffered early on as North Dandenong ran through the head of the Hawks. In typical Hallam Kalora Park fashion 4/13 was rescued by a Booth. Lee Booth (58) guided the renaissance alongside youngster Robert Parker (59) to add 77 for the fifth scalp. Parker battled on once Booth was sent back to the Lois Twohig Reserve sheds, finding a rock-solid partner in Jagveer Hayer (39). Parker raised the bat for his first Turf 1 half-ton before falling soon after. Hayer carried on to push the tally to 9/214 at stumps.
Play was cancelled in two fixtures as Arch Brown Reserve and Casey Fields were not ready for play ahead of the season opener. Cranbourne/Dandenong West and Berwick/Lyndale clashes will be played as one-dayers next week.
