By ROY WARD
– Click here for our picture gallery of the Heinz v Cranbourne turf 2 match.
A TOTAL of 21 wickets fell on a crazy first day of Heinz Southern Districts’ must-win clash with Parkfield on Saturday.
At stumps the only thing left standing was HSD’s DDCA turf 1 finals hopes.
After Parkfield sent HSD in to bat at Parkfield Reserve, the visitors were soon in deep trouble at 5-39.
Only a dogged eighth-wicket partnership of 45 runs from Rob Davies (28) and Paul Stockdale (19) gave the visitors’ innings any respectability as they were bowled out for 92 in 42 overs.
In reply the Parkers looked to chase down the runs and finish their season with a win, getting to 0-30.
But the HSD bowlers had other ideas and Stockdale’s leg-spinners proved unstoppable as he took 6-31 from 9.5 overs with the home side all out for 87 from 29 overs. Justin Davies added 3-35 for HSD.
The result leaves the fourth-placed HSD with every chance of keeping its spot in the top four and going through to the finals, although in the unlikely event of an outright victory for Springvale South or Berwick, its place could come under threat.
HSD captain Trevor Davies said his side was ecstatic to take first innings points but he was still concerned one of the teams below HSD could get an outright win and pass his side.
“We were ecstatic after the game but we still have a big job ahead,” Davies said. “We’ve given ourselves a glimpse of finals. This is pretty big considering where we have been as a club and this being just our second season in turf 1.”
Davies praised his bowlers for their persistence and Stockdale for making the most of the low-playing pitch.
“Paul has a lot of variety and he used the pitch to his advantage. He got a few of his wickets with bowled or leg before wicket; Justin Davies also bowled extremely well.”
The HSD captain said he wanted his side to focus on its performance on the second day.
HSD will resume at 1-12 in its second innings. “We have to take this opportunity in our stride and make the most of it. We realise we have a big job ahead. We won’t be thinking about finals until 5 or 6pm on Saturday. Hopefully, we will then have plenty to think about.”
In other matches, Springvale South has a battle on its hands against Coomoora.
The Roos made 187 all out from 65.4 overs, then took two late wickets to leave the Bloods on 2-29 at stumps. Lance Baptist cracked 65 for the Roos and Rob Johnson (2-3) snapped up late wickets.
Berwick has a big chase ahead in its clash against the lowly North Dandenong, which posted 264 all out at Lois Twohig Reserve. Matthew Crosby took 3-59 for the Bears.
Second-placed Dandenong West and third-placed Buckley Ridges are locked together after the first day of their clash at Park Oval. The Bulls batted first and made 215 from 79 overs.
That total is well within the Ridges’ capabilities, although the Bulls have bowled and fielded well for much of the season.
Bulls captain-coach Justin Stanton made 50 to lead his side and wicket-keeper Adam Mason added 34 not out.
Chathura Athukorala took 4-30 as ladder leader Mordialloc bowled out Narre Warren for 188 with Nathan King making 37.
Play in all matches resumes on Saturday and the finals begin the next Saturday.
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