Saints give Bears a wake-up call

By Nick Creely

DANDENONG DISTRICT
TURF 1
REVIEW – ROUND 5
Surprise packet ST MARY’S provided the shock of the round, with a ripping upset victory over premiership favourites BERWICK at Carroll Reserve, in a match that could shake up the tight tussle for finals spots.
The Saints were brilliant in an important game for both clubs, with the Cam McDonnell Trophy being contested for the first time, an event named after the DDCA Hall of Fame champion, who enjoyed a stunning career with both clubs.
After being sent in to bat, the Bears didn’t find their usual mojo and aggressiveness with the blade, instead scratching out a modest total of 9/149 off their 40 overs.
Champion players Matt Chasemore (38) and Nathan Pilon (49) were the only two to make significant runs for the Bears, as the Saints’ versatile bowling line up of Wendyl Pires (2/24), Ashan Anthony (3/28) and Trevor Heldt (2/28) kept things tight and forced the visitors into false strokes.
The Saints kept the runs flowing as they looked to gain a major scalp in their return year to Turf 1 cricket, and brilliantly chased the runs seven wickets down.
Ruwantha Kellepotha (38 not out) top scored for the Saints, while Bears skipper Jarrod Goodes (4/37) did all he could to save the game for his side.
Down at Casey Fields, HALLAM KALORA PARK crushed a disappointing CRANBOURNE, with the Hawks continuing on with their winning ways.
The Hawks were untroubled after Leigh Booth (44) helped the visitors to a decent total of 6/157, rolling the Eagles for just 81 in 38.1 overs.
Booth (4/15) was once again the star to continue on with his electric Turf 1 season to date.
MORDIALLOC also scored a convincing home victory over winless NARRE WARREN, with the Bloodhounds finding some of their premiership touch.
Recovering from the early wicket of Ian Daniel (5), the Bloodhounds were clinical with the bat, reaching 4/205 off 40 overs off the back of a cracking 78 not out to Peter McDermott and an equally impressive half century to Damith Mapa Ralage (51).
Together, the pair put an unbeaten 120 run partnership, with the Magpies unable to restrict the free flowing reigning premiers.
Janaka Liyanabadalge (36) once again proved a difficult wicket to dislodge, but eventually the Magpies succumbed to pressure from Tim Wighton (3/22), Lochlan Davies (3/12) and Stuart Squires (2/26) to be all bowled out for just 133.
Steve Spoljaric put the foot down and delivered a knockout victory to SPRINGVALE SOUTH over DINGLEY at Alex Nelson Reserve.
The veteran all-rounder sliced his way to an unbeaten 62 off 48 balls – a knock which included four sixes – to chase down the Dingoes’ 115 in just 17.2 overs and with nine wickets left in the shed.
Spoljaric also snared a wicket in the heavy win, while spin twins Malinga Bandara (3/14) and Jarryd Straker (3/17) were border-line unplayable and Tim Ford (2/19) controlled proceedings with the new ball.
NORTH DANDENONG were simply stunned by BUCKLEY RIDGES’ utter class down at Lois Twohig Reserve, with the Bucks on fire from the outset.
New ball jets Jurgen Andersen (3/20) and Daniel Watson (2/24) snared five wickets between them to disrupt an in-form Maroons side looking for a big scalp, with the home team crawling to 8/110 after losing 6/33 in the middle to late order.
Watson (48) and fellow in form batsman Greg Todd (41 not out) wasted little time in capturing yet another win, finding the runs in 18 overs and with nine wickets left.
And HEINZ SOUTHERN DISTRICTS easily accounted for DANDENONG WEST at Greaves Reserve, with the Westers still winless in 2017/18.
The Cobras racked up 5/212 off the back of skipper Matthew Cox (70), Michael Davies (55 not out) and Kaushyla Weeraratne (40), before bowling the home side out for 110.

Turf 1 Team of the Year