DANDENONG DISTRICT CRICKET ASSOCIATION
REVIEW – ROUND 1 (Day 2)
TURF 1
DINGLEY v BERWICK
Berwick fired a powerful warning shot right across Souter Oval on Saturday, with the Bears opening its 2017/18 season with a ruthless victory over Dingley.
Starting the day at 1/107 in pursuit of the Dingoes’ total of 174, the Bears lost star batsman Adam Watson (54) early in the day off exciting spinner Dinuka Hettiarachchi, but it didn’t halt the momentum.
Matt Chasemore ground out a solid 24 in his first innings in Berwick colours, while the likes of Ryan Crawford (40), stand-in skipper Nathan Pilon (38) and Darren de Souza (32) all contributed strongly before declaring at 6/235, a narrow lead of just 174.
The Dingoes managed to avoid outright, with batsmen Matt Hague (30 not out) and Ryan McLean (18 not out) getting through 23 overs unscathed.
DANDENONG WEST v CRANBOURNE
Dot ball pressure and energy in the field – all essential elements of Cranbourne skipper Lucas Ligt’s plan on defending its total of 8/238 against Dandenong West.
The plan not only saw them walk away with the points on Saturday at Greaves Reserve, but also find a formula that may see them continually shock sides this season.
As is the key with defending any total, early wickets were paramount, and the early scalps of Peter Atkinson and youngster Ethan French caught behind off the sure gloves of David Pratt kick started the day.
With bowlers Pardeep Boyal (3/29), Cam Kelly (2/32), Tim Fathers (1/61) and Steve Miller (2/21) all hitting relentless lines, the cracks began to show for the Bulls.
Wickets continually fell, and suddenly the Bulls found themselves 7/108 and well behind the curve ball.
Despite a hamstring injury, new Dandenong West skipper Shanuka Dissanayaka (71) tried to resurrect his side’s woes, but after losing his stumps after some sharp bowling by Boyal, the Bulls were too far back at 8/127.
A late 59-run stand to Matin Sultani (38) and Riley Siwes (24 not out) helped put some respectability to the scoreboard, with the Bulls finishing the day well short at 9/192.
NORTH DANDENONG v MORDIALLOC
Mordialloc skipper Chathura Athukorala took North Dandenong to the cleaners at Lois Twohig Reserve on Saturday, with ‘Chooka’ taking a 10 wicket haul in the Bloodhounds’ outright victory.
After Ian Daniel set the first day up with a sparkling 123, Athukorala (7/19) almost solely dismantled the Maroons for just a lowly 55 in 22 overs, with only Syed Mehmood (22) reaching double figures.
It was more of a team effort in the Maroons’ second dig, with Athukorala (3/31), Daniel (2/18) and Brendan Morris (3/9) combining to dismiss the home side for a more improved 148 – Clay McCartney made a nice 64.
But nonetheless, the reigning premiers took the maximum points, and don’t look like slowing down.
ST MARY’s v HEINZ SOUTHERN DISTRICTS
A professional bowling performance by Heinz Southern Districts at Carroll Reserve caught out a patchy St Mary’s in their return game to the Turf 1 ranks.
After compiling 234 last week, the Saints entered the field at 1/3, and lost an early wicket when opening batsman Wendyl Pires edged one to the keeper off the crafty Kaushyla Weeraratne (2/24), before a strong, counter attacking partnership of 35 runs by stand in skipper Rhys Serpanchy (40) and Ruwantha Kellepotha got them back in the contest.
Reliable spinner Lee Brown (3/42) struck two blows in virtual succession, and suddenly the Saints were hanging on to the edge at 5/67.
Some strong, aggressive batting by Cam Roberts (43) and Adam Welcome (44) helped drag the score back to a respectable level, but eventually the relentless line of Michael Davies (4/41) helped crack the middle to late order, bowling them out for 169.
HALLAM KALORA PARK v SPRINGVALE SOUTH
From 3/17 to a five wicket victory, Springvale South not only dodged a bullet, but gained a vital victory against a side that will almost certainly be in a similar position later in the season.
Resuming at 1/9 in reply to Hallam’s strong total of 200, the Bloods lost prized top order batsmen Michael Vandort (9) and Nathan Villella (0) off the bowling of rising talent Jordan Hammond (3/55) in a shaky start that left them hanging precariously.
Boom recruit and reigning Wookey winner, Steven Spoljaric (49), teamed up with Mitch Forsyth (59 not out) to steady the ship, putting on an important 72 run partnership.
When Hammond once again found the breakthrough with Spoljaric departing at 4/89, the Bloods’ skipper, Craig Slocombe (36), coolly combined with Forsyth to put on another 51 runs, before former Sri Lankan test cricketer Malinga Bandara (30 not out) put them over the line with a strong cameo at the end.
But it was yet another Forsyth that delivered in a Springvale South cap, with the developing talent showing poise in his 59 not out, a knock that included 156 balls and six boundaries against one of the stronger bowling sides in the comp.
BUCKLEY RIDGES v NARRE WARREN
A pair of centuries to Jayson Hobbs (109 not out) and Daniel Watson (125 not out) delivered Buckley Ridges an almighty victory against a deflated Narre Warren at Park Oval.
The Magpies had a strong first day, compiling a competitive 213 off the back of a 93 by Janaka Liyanabadalge, but simply had no answers for Buckley’s electric top order.
Liyanabadalge managed to take the one and only wicket of Wes Nicholas for 27 after a 52 run opening stand with Hobbs, before Watson entered the crease and flayed the ball to all parts.
The pair put on an unbeaten 223 runs in very little time, with Watson hitting six maximums in his brutal knock, before stumps were called with the Bucks on 1/275.
It was Hobbs’ maiden Turf 1 century, while Watson has now scored six centuries for the Bucks.
TURF 2
A top-notch 85 to Beaconsfield recruit Josh Mailing delivered the Tigers a comfortable opening round victory over Coomoora.
Chasing 154 for victory, the Tigers easily knocked off the runs, with Mailing combining with Ruwantha Fernandopulle (48) in the match-winning partnership.
Coomoora were sent back in for 24 overs later in the day, finishing on 1/94.
Scott Phillips, meanwhile, backed up his whirlwind 123 with 6/54, as Narre South dominated Lyndale at Barry Powell Reserve.
Defending 275, Lyndale were rolled for 168 despite some terrific resistance by Farazur Rahman (68).
In other matches, Parkmore Pirates easily chased down St Brigid’s/St Louis’ 173 after a terrific 139 by Amal Athulathmudali, Narre North narrowly defended 203 against Parkfield, with the Bears bowled out for 178, Silverton battled hard to reach 208 in its pursuit of Fountain Gate’s 260, while Keysborough were far too strong in defending 160, rolling Lynbrook for just 94.
