By JARROD POTTER
VSDCA – Round 12 (day 2)
ONE step left to go for Noble Park (196) as it retained its place in the final six for now with victory over Box Hill (120).
At 1/0, after Rizan Mawzoon (1/12) trapped James Lang (0) for a goose-egg, the visitors responded strongly through Sebastian Mather (23) and Gaurav Parikh (21) before Marasinghe Perera (3/26) decided 615 runs wasn’t enough for his stellar season so far.
Perera stuck a mitt out to dismiss Parikh before picking up a couple in the lower order to push his wicket tally to 25 this season as his Val Holten Medal odds would have shortened yet again.
Rob Johnston (4/27) made his presence felt through the middle order – taking the vital scalps of Box Hill skipper Paul Gloury (16) before ending the Mustangs’ breakaway as Tim Blake (31) holed out on his bowling to Ash Perera.
One more win for Noble Park will secure its spot in the finals, otherwise it will rely on a pair of losses from Box Hill, Endeavour Hills or Bayswater to retain its place.
ENDEAVOUR HILLS v MT WAVERLEY
LAST chance is up for grabs this week for Endeavour Hills (154), following its narrow loss to Mt Waverley (208).
In a frustrating day for the Eagles, the visitors managed to get start-after-start at the top of the order as Zach Allen (29), Dayle Olson (23) and Thomas Hafil (13) got out of the blocks but failed to finish it off.
Justin Merlino (39) was the next to stand up and defend the crease, but his resistance was brought to an end at by Milan Fernando (3/30) – who bowled a stunning 15 maidens in his 26 overs.
The tail showed no wag as Endeavour Hills lost 5/10, the last four of which falling with the score locked on 154.
Former Keysborough/Hallam Kalora Park all-rounder Alex Deuchar (6/23) was the difference maker for the home side as he rattled off six wickets in his 14.5 overs to run through the Eagles’ order.
Its final fight will be against Kingston Saints this weekend as Endeavour Hills requires a win plus losses for two of Noble Park, Box Hill and Bayswater to slink into the final-six.
