By ROY WARD
SPRINGVALE South kept its Dandenong and District Cricket Association finals chances alive with a monster first day total against Berwick at Arch Brown Reserve on Saturday.
The Bloods, currently in sixth place, are still within reach of fourth spot but have to overtake fifth-placed Berwick and pass either Mordialloc or Heinz Southern Districts to make the finals.
Bloods captain Craig Slocombe posted 102 not out and Sri Lankan import Jeevantha Kulatunga made 73 in their side’s innings of 8-311. It leaves the Wickers with plenty of work to do when play resumes this Saturday.
Wickers import Ryan Hercules took 3-35 and Andrew Henry added 3-80.
Slocombe is happy with his side’s total but knows his side would still have to bowl well to win. “We would have taken that at the start of the day,” he said. “It was a good score, but as we know on that ground you never know if you have enough runs.
“I think 300 is about even. Last year we made 320-odd and they made close to 300 in response.”
Slocombe said the Bloods’ season was definitely on the line, with the loser of the match almost certainly out of finals contention.
“It’s a battle. We need results to go our way. If we lose this match we are gone, same as them.
“But we still have a chance and if Heinz Southern Districts lose the next two matches and we win then we should be in.”
He added his bowlers needed to put on their best form when play resumed. “Our bowlers probably haven’t been up to expectation this season, but if they are in form we will be in a good position.”
Elsewhere, Hallam Kalora Park responded well to its change in coach, bowling out ladder-leader Dandenong West for 170 on Saturday.
Matt Fielding made 72 not out for the Bulls but had few helpers.
The Hawks then made 1-47 in reply to end the first day well within sight of an upset victory.
The Hawks parted ways with Johan Vorster last week, ending his tenure in his first season coaching the club.
Buckley Ridges posted 311 against Heinz Southern Districts after another impressive batting performance from Greg Todd (91), a quick-fire effort from Daniel Watson (88 off 87 balls) and Suren Ekanayake (54).
HSD opening bowler Chadwick Van Estrop led the way for his side with 5-61 from 17 overs. Justin Davies added 2-83.
Mordialloc made 202 and then almost bowled out a hapless Doveton, which ended play on 9-55.
Parkfield has put itself in a winning position against Coomoora with Steve Spoljaric scoring 125 in his side’s total of 294. The Roos were 0-6 at stumps. North Dandenong made 193 against Narre Warren with Craig Gunawardana (51) the top scorer. The Magpies were 1-40 at stumps.
For all the latest breaking news, stay with this website. Also, follow the Weekly at facebook.com/dandenongjournal or on Twitter @DandyJournal.
