By Nick Creely
MORDIALLOC broke the top four open on Saturday, in a fascinating day of cricket against BERWICK that netted 20 wickets at Arch Brown Reserve.
Now the Bears are hanging on to their position in fourth by a thread, as challengers emerge to pinch a finals spot from under their feet.
After winning the toss and batting, Bears quick James Wilcock (1/25) struck with the first ball of the match, removing steady opener Brendan Morris to put the Bloodhounds immediately on the back foot.
Ian Daniel (32) – fresh off a stunning, record breaking knock the previous week, combined with young star Jakob Woinarski (38), building a partnership of 49 runs before an edge off the bowling of Cory Bevan (1/12) brought the end of Daniel.
Apart from another impressive knock by Englishman Peter McDermott (34), Matt Chasemore (3/12) wound back the clock and skittled the middle order, and the Bloodhounds’ tail was unable to wag, dismissed for just 123.
Bears skipper Jarrod Goodes (2/30) was the other multiple wicket-taker.
The Bears looked to be in cruise mood, with Jordan Cleland (25) and Darren de Souza (12) racing away for 37 runs for the first wicket, but a double strike to Woinarski (2/25) suddenly had the Bloodhounds surging.
The reigning premiers rattled through the middle order with a venomous attitude, skittling star game changers Matt Chasemore (4), Nathan Pilon (4) and Ryan Crawford (0) to suddenly have the Bears 5/49.
Jarrod Armitage (22 not out) provided resistance, but lacked help, as the Bloodhounds rummaged their way through the lower order to bowl the home side out for 95, banking first innings points and potentially flipping the Bears’ season on it’s head.
After starting the season in the seconds, Tim Wighton (4/16) starred with the red ball, while Daniel (3/34) capped off another solid day to firm for a first Wookey Medal.
In the second dig, Mordi are 0/15 off five.
Down at Hallam Reserve, the stakes couldn’t be any higher between HALLAM KALORA PARK and ST MARY’S, with the winner likely to displace Berwick in the top four.
The game is a on a knife’s edge after day one, with plenty of cricket left to play.
The Saints had a bat first, and limped their way to 164 after Vishal Thind’s (4/21) impressive form continued with the ball.
Gun recruits Kaushyla Gajasinghe (30) and Ruwantha Kellepotha (32) both played vital knocks, while opener Wendyl Pires (33) held the top order together brilliantly.
At stumps, star batsman Leigh Booth (27) is back in the sheds in what is a vital breakthrough, with the Hawks 1/36 off 19 overs, with the game no closer to reaching a winner.
Susa Pradeep, down at Park Oval, put on a show for BUCKLEY RIDGES, striking his first century for a couple of years against DANDENONG WEST.
The Bucks got off to their usual flyer, courtesy of DJ Watson (20), but the star all-rounder soon fell, and the very next ball, Suren Ekanayake was trapped LBW to have the home side 2/35 and in need of consolidation.
Pradeep (106) battled hard with Jayson Hobbs (36) to bring the innings back on track, and combined in little partnerships through the middle order to put the Bucks in a dominant position.
When the gifted batsman fell, his innings included six sixes and six fours, all of the highest caliber.
The Bucks were bowled out for 230, with Westers skipper Shaunuka Dissanayaka (4/43) and Peter Atkinson (4/67) putting in commendable performances with the ball against a power packed batting opposition.
The Westers are 1/38 at stumps, with Matt Collett (13) back in the sheds after getting off to a fast start.
A thriller down at Reedy Reserve is set to go down to the wire, with HEINZ SOUTHERN DISTRICTS battling hard to keep SPRINGVALE SOUTH at bay.
The Bloods were in almighty trouble as Michael ‘Slick’ Davies (4/24) rattled through the top order, but veterans Craig Slocombe (42) and Steven Spoljaric (36) saved the day, cooly putting on 73 runs between them, pulling their side out of a hole.
The pair – who are often the difference – did it with ease, helping post 174 after a late flurry to Tim Ford (31 not out).
Cobras spinner Lee Brown (5/47) made the most of the conditions, bowling beautifully for the home side.
Ford (2/10) the used that momentum to his advantage to take two early wickets, removing Brent Patterson (0) and skipper Matt Cox (4) to leave the home side 2/28 at stumps.
Trevor Davies (1) and Kaushyla Weeraratne (22) are the not out batsmen.
In the round’s other two matches, NORTH DANDENONG (176) is in a strong position against a struggling DINGLEY (1/28), while CRANBOURNE (6/236) is in a rare position of power at stumps, putting in a brilliant day of cricket against NARRE WARREN (1/31).
In Turf 2, it was a day of struggles for the batters, with PARKFIELD (191) scoring the highest total of the day against ST BRIGID’S/ST LOUIS (1/25).
FOUNTAIN GATE (79) struggled badly against BEACONSFIELD (7/72) in a low scoring affair, SILVERTON (136) are in need of quick wickets early on day two against COOMOORA (3/89), NARRE NORTH (4/100) should claim the win over PARKMORE PIRATES (118), while LYNBROOK (3/48) is in a strong position against LYNDALE (85).
The match between NARRE SOUTH and KEYSBOROUGH was called off after a wet pitch meant no play was possible.
