By Nick Creely
It was a case of perfect timing for Mordialloc opener Brendan Morris to notch up not only his maiden century, but his first score above fifty at Turf 1 level.
The young opener has an abundance of talent, and brought his very best to the table in the Bloodhounds’ crunch semi-final win against Hallam Kalora Park at Ben Kavanagh Reserve on Saturday and Sunday.
And now, the Bloodhounds are well and truly on track to defend its premiers title.
After winning the toss and batting, Jordan Hammond (1/66) had his tail up in a hostile opening spell, and after star opener Ian Daniel was dropped at slip in the opening moments, Hammond got the danger man only balls later after a terrific delivery caught the edge which was beautifully sharked by Ben Hillard low down at first slip.
Young gun Jakob Woinarski (22) and Morris helped steer the ship superbly, with the pair adding 57 runs to shield the middle order.
Morris in particular was looking rock solid, leaving the ball well outside the line of off stump and pouncing on anything short and straight that was duly pulled to the fence with aggression.
It was a slow grinding partnership, but one vital to the context of the afternoon.
Eventually Leigh Booth (1/9) ended Woinarski’s 82 ball resistance, but as the pitch flattened and the ball softened, the runs began to flow.
Elegant keeper batsman Damith Mapa Ralage (95) and Morris carved the Hawks around the ground as the pair built a mammoth total around their 152 run partnership.
Morris eventually reached what was a match turning century; full of crisp drives, brutal stroke play, all weaved together with impenetrable defense.
It is Morris’ highest score in his 39 Turf 1 games to date, in what was a breakout performance at exactly the right time of the year.
Unluckily for Morris, he was run out for 108 and Mapa Ralage fell agonizingly close to a century after falling in the latter stages of the day, but the Bloodhounds posted what was a commanding 9/308 after declaring with two overs to spare.
In total, the Bloodhounds spanked 33 fours and 5 sixes.
Will Whyte (4/67) was a bright spark with his bowling on a tough day in the field for the Hawks.
Despite the best efforts of skipper Steve Gilmour (91); who fought tooth and nail for the Hawks in his best knock in the DDCA, the Bloodhounds had control of the contest as soon as they walked on the field on day two, removing the visitors for 210 in 77 overs after at one stage being 6/62.
The returning Chathura Athukorala (5/57) was all class with the Bloodhounds and looms as a key for the rest of their finals campaign, while skipper Stuart Squires (2/33) and the talented Dylan Campbell (2/30) snared multiple wickets.
Down at Carroll Reserve, Springvale South beared its teeth and smashed Buckley Ridges, earning itself a vital weekend off and a grand final position.
The Bloods were merciless from ball one on Saturday on a deck that has been tailored made for spin bowling, and they certainly came to the fore.
With 11 wickets falling and only 113 runs falling on day one, runs were like gold nuggets.
After the Bucks batted first, just 12 runs were scored off the first hour as openers Daniel Watson and Jayson Hobbs put the feelers out, but something was always going to break as soon as spinning duo Malinga Bandara and Jarryd Straker (1/37) got in their stride and allowed the deck to do the talking.
And break it did, in the form of the former Sri Lankan test leggie, who is having a stunning second half of the Turf 1 season.
Bandara went berserk, spinning the ball a mile to claim astonishing figures of 7/29 off 27 overs, as the Bucks struggled to pick his varieties and keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Off the back of Watson (34); who once again looked comfortable; the Bucks scratched their way to 106 in 84 overs, giving the Bloods a tricky six overs to handle.
Incredibly for Bandara, he has taken 19 wickets since Christmas, including two five-wicket hauls in a row, as he looms as the danger man considering the grand final will be played at Carroll Reserve.
Jurgen Andersen found the late spark on day one for the Bucks, breaking through the defense of Liam Hamilton to see the Bloods 1/7 at stumps.
Watson struck early in the day too, removing youngster Mitch Forsyth (4) to bring the score to 2/27, but the class of Nathan King (56) and a gritty effort by Jack Sketcher (32 not out) allowed the Bloods to move to 92, before offie Matt Goodwright picked up King.
Steven Spoljaric fell surprisingly for nought only balls later, but it didn’t matter, as Sketcher and Bandara (8 not out) guided the Bloods home to victory, in dominant fashion.
Buckley Ridges have another chance, and will face off with reigning premiers Mordialloc in a preliminary final on Saturday/Sunday at Park Oval, in what will be an absolute belter of a clash.
In Turf 2, Narre South booked itself a grand final position and a chance at redemption, after crushing St Brigid’s/St Louis at Strathaird Reserve.
The Lions won the toss and had a bat, and despite starts by Ali Mortaza (31), Joe Thomas (44) and skipper Scott Phillips (28), the home side posted a strong total of 182.
At stumps on day one, the visitors slumped to 4/43, barely holding on to hope, as Phillips began to dominate.
It took little over an hour for the Lions to bank the win, with Phillips claiming 5/27 (his 35th wicket at an average of 6.8) to roll the visitors for 68.
The Lions had another late dip, finishing on 0/68 as Mortaza claimed another 41 runs.
The Lions’ rivals, Narre North (141 and 1/45), also won through to the decider after surprisingly spanking Parkmore Pirates (97 and 85) at Barry Powell Reserve.
The North showed no mercy in the win, and eventually won outright in what is a massive confidence booster for the team.
Nathan Pulham (6/28) was a dominant figure on day two, while skipper Matt Brooks (65) did the damage with the bat.
The Turf 2 grand final will be played at Hallam Recreation Reserve this weekend.
