By David Nagel
FOURTH placed Tooradin get a second chance to stamp themselves a serious premiership contender this Saturday when they host second placed Upper Beaconsfield in the Sub-District Division match of the round.
The Seagulls had their destiny in their own hands in round five when they rolled top team Clyde for just 126 before collapsing themselves, being rolled for a dismal 99. The excuse on that occasion was the absence of leading run-scorer Kane Latham but the disappointing aspect was that no-one stepped up to fill the void.
Mathew Walker and Sam Clarke were the only two batsmen to pass 20.
Clarke and Sean Baker were good with the ball against Clyde in an attack that has been hard to get away all season. They’ll need to be at their best against the Maroons.
It has tasted defeat just once, against Clyde, and comes off a classic match in round five where it and third placed Lang Lang both pushed hard for outright points. The Maroons’ eventually settling with first innings points.
Youngsters Taylor and Jayden Joyce are improving with the bat while Billy Haines, Kyle Gibbs and Shawn Hassall are in good form with the ball.
This one’s a toss of the coin but we’ll go with home team Seagulls to get over the line.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Clyde v Cranbourne Meadows
DID Cranbourne Meadows return to form in its round five game against bottom side Gembrook, or was it a flash in the pan?
That question will be well and truly answered by 6pm this Saturday when the sixth placed side travels to Lineham Oval to take on top side Clyde. The Rebels were awesome against the Brookers, racking up 9/336 and inspired by a Brent Murdoch century, but that performance just doesn’t ring true when lined up against its early season efforts.
It had a top score of 119 leading into round five and if any cracks are still evident, the Cougars will expose them.
Its bowling has been super this season, Dean Williams, Nick Miles, Patrick Lawson and Adrian Buller form a four pronged attack to make any batsman go weak at the knees. Williams took 5/28 and made 56 not out in Clyde’s last outing against Tooradin and his shadow looms large over the Rebels this week.
David Denton has been the Cougars’ best batsman this season and his contest with Rebels’ opening bowler Jason Poole could be a key to the result. Clyde looked brittle apart from Denton’s half century in round five so if Poole can make early inroads, anything’s possible.
Clyde’s superior bowling will be the difference, the home side to salute.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Cardinia v Lang Lang
SEVENTH placed Cardinia play host to third placed Lang Lang this week, but don’t be fooled by the ladder positions, this match is a toss of the coin job.
Cardinia had been competitive in all its matches until receiving a touch-up from Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll in round five, and will fancy their chances against the Swamp Tigers.
Mark Weeding and Brayden Browne have been steady with the rock in recent outings and pose a threat to the inconsistent Lang Lang batting order.
With the willow, Ricky Campbell has been outstanding but he runs into the competition’s leading wicket taker this week in the Swamp Tigers’ Bodie Brown.
His 19 wickets leads all-comers in West Gippsland this summer and the Bulls need to be wary or pay the price. Aaron Creasey and Kurt Nestor gave Brown great support in their last outing. Lang Lang will look to Ross Douglas and Gareth Andrews to continue their good form with the bat and steady a shaky looking batting line-up. The Swamp Tigers have only been beyond 120 once this year and will need to improve that side of things if they’re to contend in the New Year.
The Bulls can draw level with the Swamp Tigers if they get the chocolates this week and we think that’s exactly what they’ll do, Cardinia to win.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Gembrook v Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll
THE Marygoons travel to Gembrook in round seven and barring a major calamity should be too good for the bottom placed hosts.
The Goon towelled up Cardinia in round five and they sit just one game outside the cut-line. They’re batting finally clicked against the Bulls with Joshua Lowndes making a brilliant century and Jackson Payroli chiming in with an unbeaten half century.
Until that performance the Goon batting was just chugging along and if either Lowndes or Payroli gain promotion through their last round deeds then things could even up.
The Goons have been well served with the ball by big Ash Bailey, the former Pakenham player has taken 16 wickets this season and his swing and variety will play an important part in his team’s push for finals action.
Timmy Gray tries his heart out for the Brookers. He backed up a fine 72 with two wickets last time out and received solid support from Andrew Shipp and Kidman Johnstone.
Gray’s innings saw Gembrook reach triple figures for the first time this season and that sort of form-line means you don’t get picked to win too many games of cricket.
The Goons will be too good.
