Above and left: Dandenong West batsman Doug Louden is clean bowled by Berwick’s Will Carr during Saturday’s turf one action.BERWICK bowlers were put under extreme pressure on the first day of its away, turf-one match against Dandenong West on Saturday.
The opposition finished the day on 322 led by a century to Shannon Marum.
Berwick speedster Simon Cornell finished with 3/77, snaring the last three wickets of the innings including Marum, who ended his knock on 109.
Other Berwick wicket-takers included Will Carr, Simon Goodes and Dave Hampton with two each, together with Ryan Crawford who took the remaining Dandenong West scalp.
The Bears batsmen will be hoping for good conditions in their run chase next weekend.
TURF TWO
Berwick lost the toss on a flat and hard pitch at Arch Brown reserve and was dealt a lesson in patient, persistent batting by St Brigid’s-St Louis.
Paul Gramc bowled well and extracted some bounce, but the Saints got off to a quick start with 32 after five overs.
Berwick’s fielding showed early signs of being sub-standard with a catch going down, setting the scene for the afternoon.
Gramc got the first wicket for the Bears, but it was a long wait for the second, the Saints going to tea at 1/114.
Brendan Lloyd made the breakthrough before the batsmen got the better of him, finishing with 1/39.
Rob Chilver took the first of his three catches off Allan (1/34) and Shepherd returned for his second spell that netted him three wickets to get Berwick back in the game.
Matt Crosby bowled steadily at the end of the innings, with two wickets and Gramc one, having bowled tirelessly for 19 overs.
The Saints finished on 283, a big chase for the Bears this week.
TURF FOUR
It was a disappointing day for Berwick against Hampton Park, managing just 134 after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Michael Dalzotto was unable to follow up on his promotion after a century last game and was the first of two early wickets. Wayne Margitich and Simon Curtis helped steer Berwick out of some early trouble, taking the score to 46 before Curtis was out for 11.
Wickets then fell far too regularly for Berwick and Brad James and Ben Adams were unable to build on their start with 13 and 11 respectively.
Margitich fell for 44 and Wayne Viney ran out of partners.
With six overs remaining the Bears were unable to claim a wicket, Hampton Park ending on 0/15.
B GRADE
Things started badly for Berwick against North Dandenong with the first three wickets falling with just 13.
Shaun Grant and Leigh Otten had a 61 run-fourth wicket partnership, but went for 31 and 26 respectively.
Rowan Purkiss did well until caught for 17, bringing a 62-run partnership between himself and Andy Peters to a close.
Peters then took control of the innings, blasting seven fours and a six to bring up a quick 50, but went for 51. Berwick was all out for 189 and made some inroads into the North Dandenong line up with an early wicket thanks to a catch by Adam Baumgardner off Joel Funston.
At 1/13 the game poised for an interesting contest this week.
C GRADE
Berwick was happy with the day’s play against Fountain Gate, taking two early wickets.
Andrew Jenner did the early damage with support from Dave Caldwell. Theo Kasapis was introduced into the attack with immediate success with Ray Henry holding onto a neat catch.
Kevin Phillips took a wicket with his first ball and another two overs later. Berwick was cruising at 6/100 and when Mark Angelone took the second of his two catches and Fountain gate was out for 151.
Kasapis took 3/54 and Phillips, Caldwell and Jenner, two.
Andy Young was one of two wickets to fall for 15 and Berwick ended the day 2/27, Craig Bellville 13 not out.
D GRADE
Berwick’s Matt Quinlan and Will Chapman set the scene with 223 against Nth Dandenong.
The pair shared in a 188 fifth-wicket partnership with Quinlan 88.
Chapman showed his experience, knocking the ball into the gaps for 50 before hitting out and going for 80.
E GRADE
A good team effort helped Berwick to 119, with under-15 player Josh Holden the star with 25.
Marty Allan hit 11, Jimmy Koulos 16, Dave Ramsay 11 and Greg Ashcroft 10. With 26 overs remaining, Koulos struck in his first over, but Endeavour Hills fought back to post 52 at the close of play.
CLUB NOTES
A Christmas party will be held this Saturday night starting from 6.30pm. Guests are asked to bring a salad or dessert and any extra meat for a free barbecue.
