By Nick Creely
DDCA – TURF 1
REVIEW (ROUND 7)
Well what a round that was!
In the context of the season, it is likely that Round 7 will be looked at as the most critical, as the Turf 1 competition remains the tightest it has perhaps ever been.
With just eight points separating fifth from first, Saturday’s results were simply crucial, and with the shocks that are synonymous with cricket, it is inevitable that this season will continue to surprise.
SPRINGVALE SOUTH v BERWICK
In one of the most vital matches in the Turf 1 season, the Bloods have annihilated a shell-shocked Berwick at Alex Nelson Reserve.
Bears skipper Jarrod Goodes sent in Craig Slocombe and his Bloods, where the home side pushed on from the platform set by openers Nathan King (38) and Michael Vandort (34) to post a tricky 9/191 off 40 overs.
Goodes (4/25) could do no more to lift his side and continues a brilliant season with the ball.
But as soon as the wily veteran Slocombe took the ball after tea and decided to roll his arm over, the game effectively ended.
In his eight-over spell, the DDCA legend notched up figures of 4/8, which included the wickets of Darren de Souza (7), Jarryd Wills (12), Josh Holden (1) and the dangerous Ryan Crawford (3).
The Bears were left in tatters, bowled out for just 49 in a stunning batting collapse, with Bloods bowlers Tim Ford (2/10) and Brett Healey (2/5) taking multiple wickets.
HEINZ-SOUTHERN DISTRICTS v NORTH DANDENONG
The Cobras’ charge towards finals continues to gather momentum, edging out a brave North Dandenong outfit at Lois Twohig.
In a season where every inch counts, the Cobras continue to do everything right after a slow start to the season, and sit just a solitary point out of the four.
But it could have been a lot worse for the Maroons, recovering from 5/23, but a bit of class by Clayton McCartney (59) rescued them from embarrassment and gave the bowlers some encouragement.
Chadwick Van Estrop (3/29) was the pick of the bowlers, while Paul Stockdale (3/33) was also solid with the ball.
With the Maroons setting the Cobras a tricky 165 for victory, the visitors simply found a way to get the job done, with Shehan Bandaranyake (43) playing a vital knock.
DINGLEY v DANDENONG WEST
An absolute stellar century by the in-form Matthew Hague (136) has seen Dingley crush Dandenong West and keep their slim finals hopes alive.
The first-year Turf 1 team have continued to surprise, and looked on from the outset.
The star opening batsman has enjoyed a brilliant season at the top, and carved up the Bulls with 22 boundaries and two maximums in a brutal run-a-ball display.
The epic century lifted the Dingoes to an imperious 8/223 off 40 overs.
And despite a fighting half-century to Sam Weir (51), the Bulls were never truly in the game, finishing on 9/118 off 40 overs, with regulars Christo Otto (2/13) and Calvin Barlow (2/27) amongst the wickets.
PARKFIELD v CRANBOURNE
Well who would have thought that a side with no wins on the board could possibly topple the reigning champions at their home fortress, but it’s happened, and it could have dire consequences for Cranbourne.
And it turned out to be one of the games of the season, with the Parkers taking until the very last ball to chase down 145.
Earlier in the day, the Parkers restricted the champs to just 6/144, with Lucas Ligt (66 not out) carrying the bat.
Champion batsman Steven Spoljaric (17) and Matt Chasemore (8) were dismissed early, with the Parkers getting a look at a middle-order which hasn’t seen much batting this season.
The Parkers then grinded away with the bat, and with David Ford (33) and Hemantha Alles (25) playing crucial knocks, secured their first win of the season.
It could have consequences for the Eagles, with three or four sides banging down the door to displace them in the four, with the Bloods and Hawks likely to be smiling from ear-to-ear.
MORDIALLOC v HALLAM-KALORA PARK
Ladder-leaders Hallam-Kalora Park have gone down in a thrilling clash to Mordialloc, with the Bloodhounds consolidating their spot in the top-four.
Winning the toss and batting, the Hawks could only manage 7/110 off 40 overs, with star all-rounder Ian Daniel (1/6 off 8 overs) playing a vital role.
It was a tricky wicket to bat on, with the Hawks lacking the penetration that had previously seen them without a loss to their name.
And after a shaky start to the innings which eventually saw the Bloodhounds at 8/88, Chathura Athukorala (35 not out) guided the home side to victory with some clutch stroke-play.
Gun all-rounder Jordan Hammond (2/8) continues his fine season for the Hawks, while Jagveer Hayer (3/20) continues to get the job done.
BUCKLEY RIDGES v NARRE WARREN
In the words of Bill Lawry, dear oh dear!
It has been a truly tough season for Narre Warren, and it continued once again, with Buckley Ridges dismantling them in brutal fashion.
Sent in to bat, the Magpies were listless, bowled out for just 78 despite Janaka Liyanabadalge (22) once again top-scoring.
The writing was on the wall early, with the Magpies sitting at 3/11, and despite the resistance of Liyanabadalge and Imran Laghmani (21), scoring was slow, and therefore a par total was out of the question.
Luke Fletcher (3/23) showed his class, while Lukas Hoogenboom (3/7) and Daniel Watson (2/12) were all strong with the ball, applying constant pressure to the Magpies batsman.
And all it took was 22 overs for the Bucks to chase down the meagre total, and continue the season of misery for the Magpies.
Susantha Pradeep (44 not out) continued his fine form with the bat.
Turf 1 Team of the Year
Ian Daniel (Mordialloc)
Matthew Hague (Dingley)
Manisha Dabarera (Parkfield)
Susantha Pradeep (Buckley Ridges)
Steven Spoljaric (Cranbourne)
Matt Chasemore (Cranbourne)
Jarrod Armitage (Berwick)
Brodie Yapp (HSD)
Peter Atkinson (Dandy West)
Jarrod Goodes (Berwick)
Stuart Squires (Mordialloc)
