By Nick Creely
DDCA TURF 1 & 2
REVIEW – ROUND 11
TURF 1
With the final four already set, there was just one thing to settle in the final home and away match of the Turf 1 season; who would be the final of the four teams to be relegated to Turf 2 in the association’s restructure next year.
It all came down to the clash between North Dandenong and Dandenong West at Lois Twohig Reserve.
The Bulls surprisingly sent the Maroons in, and despite veteran Peter Atkinson (1/29) breaking through with the early scalp of dangerous opener Syed Mehmood (3), the home side had no trouble finding the middle of the bat.
Despite the visitors looking to keep things tidy, strong cameos from skipper Nasrat Malikzada (37); who led from the front; and recruits Shehan Fernando (32) and Asfan Thajudeen (44), guided the Maroons to a commanding total of 8/177 off their 40 overs.
Matt Collett (55) provided a lone hand as the Bulls tried in vain to stay in Turf 1, but were overpowered to be rolled for 108 inside the 35th over.
Veteran Shane Clark (2/23) was the pick of the bowlers for the Maroons.
In another shock result, Mordialloc lost the rights for a second chance after relinquishing top spot to Cranbourne at Ben Kavanagh.
Expected to just roll the Eagles with ease ahead of a crunch finals campaign, the Bloodhounds could only muster up 164 as Ian Daniel (114) once again provided a masterclass.
The Eagles; who have ended the year with two straight wins; found the runs seven wickets down and with eight balls to spare, with skipper Lucas Ligt (52 not out) and Brandon Tyzzer (49) combining for the 84 run match winning partnership.
The loss does come at a cost, with the Bloodhounds finishing third after looking almost certain to finish in top spot, and will now feature in an elimination final against Hallam Kalora Park.
In other matches across the round, Buckley Ridges (3/150) barely went out of cruise mode against Dingley (9/148), Springvale South (3/99) belted St Mary’s (96), Hallam Kalora Park (5/204) overcame a late Heinz Southern Districts (146) charge, and Berwick (2/125) ended its season with a commanding win over Narre Warren (121)
TURF 2
Narre South warmed up for their finals campaign with a thumping win over Lynbrook at Strathaird on Saturday, with Scott Phillips and Kirk Dickson going bananas with the bat.
The pair put on a 153 run partnership after the Lions batted first, with Phillips belting 135 and Dickson 121 as the Lions romped to a massive 6/334 off 40 overs.
Between the two, there was an incredible 30 fours and 13 sixes hit.
The Lakers battled hard but were rolled for 121 in the 30th over.
Beaconsfield, meanwhile, finished its season off on a sour note, with a tough loss to Parkfield meaning the Tigers finished in sixth spot.
Chasing 192, the Tigers were steamrolled for just 93, with the Bears ruthless with the new ball especially.
In other results, Keysborough (7/260) defeated Lyndale (7/222), Coomoora (9/166) surprised Narre North (100), while finals bound Parkmore (2/58) and St Brigid’s/St Louis (4/91) belted Silverton (56) and Fountain Gate (87) respectively.
