By Nick Creely
Mammoth centuries to a Narre South newcomer and Dingley star headlined an action packed day across Turf 2 on Saturday.
Down at Sweeney Reserve, with Narre Warren taking on the Lions, Jonty Jenner – the 20-year-old Englishman who has played a recent first-class game with Sussex – put on an absolute clinic, sending the ball to all parts of the ground in a dynamic 146.
Jenner’s innings took just 122 balls and just under three hours, hitting 17 fours and six sixes, and will add yet another dangerous layer to Scott Phillips’ already star studded side as the season continues to progress and the Lions look to finally breakthrough for that premiership that has eluded them.
Morteza Ali (66) and Joe Thomas (26) put on 88 for the first wicket, and the Magpies simply couldn’t keep up, with Ashan Wijayakumara (58) playing a strong hand in a partnership of almost 200 with Jenner.
The Magpies showed some fight – particularly through the efforts of Janaka Liyanabadalge (4/75) and Callum Spencer (3/66) – to stem the bleeding somewhat, but Scott Phillips’ side reached 9/350 before declaring with eight overs to spare.
Opening batsman Bevan Radhakrishnan fell just one ball before stumps, with the Magpies 1/9 at the end of the day, and will need to do a lot right to get close to their target when play resumes on Saturday.
Gun Dingley all-rounder Matthew Hague, meanwhile, also had a day out with the blade against St Brigid’s/St Louis.
Hague carved up the home side in a breathtaking 179 off 224 balls, guiding the Dingoes to a strong 9/316 at stumps.
Battling to find form after 65 runs in his first four digs, Hague’s class and hunger for runs shone brightest, forming strong partnerships throughout the innings.
Hague sent the ball flying over the ropes for eight sixes and 18 fours, returning to the trademark form that saw him amass 507 Turf 1 runs two years ago.
Luke Spears (37) was also in the runs for the Dingoes.
And Narre North is in a strong position against Parkmore Pirates at Frederick Wachter Reserve.
The Pirates were sent in to face the music, and lost a bunch of early wickets to be in some trouble early.
Captain-coach Anurudhdha Foneska (61) was the only Pirate to get some momentum with the bat, playing a virtual lone hand in the middle order to salvage something against the reigning Turf 2 premiers, helping guide the side to 135, but in only 35 overs.
Ryan Hendy (3/39), Joel Zietsman (2/39), Nathan Wilson (2/11) and Josh Henry (2/26) were all in the wickets for the Rams, as they build on what has been a slowish start to their title defence.
The Rams clawed their way to 2/76 at stumps, with Marshall Gray (26) and Kyle Hardy (10) set to resume in the middle on Saturday.
The match between Dandenong West and Cranbourne will be played this Saturday and Sunday.
While Saturday’s Turf 2 action was very much dominated by the bat, Turf 3 was an entirely different story, with a total of 58 wickets and 716 wickets taking across the day.
Incredibly, down at Perc Allison Oval, Beaconsfield could well be headed for its second outright victory in the opening month, despite being rolled for 96 against Lynbrook.
The Tigers were sent in to bat by the Lakers, and seemed to be cruising along after Brendan Johnson (51) and Ben Casey (12) put on 33 for the first wicket, but a stunning middle order collapse – kick started by a brilliant spell from Dylan Hayes (4/16), had the home side on the topes.
Only Callan Tout (11) reached double figures after the opening pair, with the home side dismissed in just 40 overs.
But the Tigers were merciless with the ball, shooting the Lakers out in 35 overs for just 48.
Matt Golding (2/10) made a breakthrough in his first over, and soon picked up another to have the visitors 2/4, and from there, it was the Tout (4/18) and Nathan Goodes (3/6) show.
The pair skittled the middle order, not allowing them to get any flow in their innings, and towards the end of the day, it was time for the Tigers to bat again.
Hayes (1/6) once again impressed to take the scalp of Ruwantha Fernandopulle just before stumps, with the Tigers going in 1/12, a lead of 60.
Down at Parkfield Reserve, a fascinating clash between the Bears and Fountain Gate is brewing.
As he so often does, Gaters star Rodni Kumara (5/37 off 28 overs) bowled brilliantly to help roll the home side for 113 in 67 overs after sending them in, with Travis D’souza (35) the only batsman to get going.
Despite losing two early wickets before stumps, the Gaters are 2/21 and in a solid position with plenty of batting left to come.
Coomoora, meanwhile, were the only side to reach 200 in their clash against Keysborough at Coomoora Reserve.
Winning the toss and batting, the Kangaroos amassed 205, with Liam Hard (50), skipper Lance Baptist (44), Rahoul Pankhania (28) and Denham Pereira (27) all in the runs.
Keysie were well served once more by gun bowler Hennadige Fernando (5/43), who picked up the crucial wickets and bowled tightly all day.
And in the final game over the weekend, Lyndale (5/141) has already claimed first innings points against Silverton (80) at Barry Powell Oval.
