By Nick Creely
DDCA TURF 2 AND 3
REVIEW – ROUND 6
TURF 2
Dingley has moved a game clear atop the Turf 2 ladder after a dominant victory against Parkmore Pirates at home on Saturday.
The Dingoes were on song in a well-rounded team performance, racking up 7/211 after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Corey Booth (59 not out), Luke Spears (51) and Matt Hague (57) each struck half-centuries as the Dingoes’ top order feasted on the Pirates.
A late charge – sparked by an excellent spell from Amal Athulathmudali (3/43) – helped keep the score within reach.
After an opening round century, Bevan Corneille (56) once again threatened to be the match-winner for the Pirates, but Milan Rathnayaka kept his brilliant season going with a ripping spell of 4/18 to help remove the visitors for just 125.
Young star Flynn McGaw also chimed in late to snare 3/12, while fellow rising Dingo Jay Jhamb was tidy to finish with 2/19 from his seven overs.
Down at Casey Fields, Dandenong West has remarkably surged into second-spot on the ladder with a clinical win against Cranbourne.
The Eagles’ topsy turvy start to the season in the loss, which saw the Westers showcase its quality with bat and ball as they continue to surprise all in the Turf 2 race.
The Westers – with the ball – were as even as possible to roll the home side for just 108 inside 38 overs, with in-form batsman Justin Dickinson the only Eagle to really get going with a composed 35 from the top.
Despite a few hiccups, the Westers were largely untroubled in the chase, reaching the target inside 32 overs and with six wickets still left in the shed.
Skipper Hari Krishan looked dangerous again with 28 opening the batting, while Anthony Brannan skipped past 200 runs for the season with an unbeaten 43.
Narre Warren also ensured Beaconsfield’s disappointing form would continue at Sweeney Reserve.
While the Tigers have shown some strong signs in their promotion to Turf 2, two heavy losses in a row means they will need to work hard to get its season back on track before Christmas.
The Tigers were rolled for just 106 off the last over of the innings, with debutant and left-arm dynamo Thilan Thushara starring with 4/18.
James Elliott (2/29) and skipper Janaka Liyanabadalge (3/10) were also in the wickets for the Magpies.
Zach Allen once again led the way for the Magpies with the blade, striking 55 as the home side ran the runs down in just 20 overs.
In the remaining match, Lyndale (170) defeated Narre North (130) at Barry Powell Reserve.
TURF 3
Keysborough pipped rivals Fountain Gate in a thriller at Max Pawsey Reserve East on Saturday.
In a low-scoring one-day clash, both sides had their moments but ultimately it was the Knights who got the points, and sit atop the ladder by a mere two points.
The Gators had a bat first and could only muster up 121, recovering somewhat after a terrific knock by Rob Witt (36 not out).
The visitors got off to a bright start in the chase and were 2/74 at one stage; before a late surge saw the Gators take 6/36 and leave the game in the balance.
But the Knights managed to just find the runs with just 15 balls left in the innings, with Kyle Murdoch top scoring at the top of the order with 29.
Springvale banked an important win as it seeks to stay in touch with the finals race, knocking over the in-form Lynbrook.
The Demons – off an absolutely superb knock at the back-bend from Jujhar Kalsi (63) – scrambled its way to an imposing 9/209, with Varun Singh the pick of the bowlers with 3/28.
The Lakers managed to keep in touch with the run-rate, but just kept losing constant wickets to be bowled out for 147 in 31 overs.
Kalsi backed up his heroics with the bat to snare 3/36, while Buddihka Janith (3/21) was absolutely vital for the home side.
In the remaining matches across the round, Coomoora (7/244) were just too good for Berwick Springs (7/134), with the Kangaroos racking up the runs, while Parkfield (1/135) showed a ruthless edge to its cricket with a big win against Silverton (6/132) at Fotheringham Reserve.
