Time to celebrate: The happy Tooradin team celebrates its progress to the semifinals of the Kookaburra Cup Twenty20 competition. MERINDA Park blasted a competition record 5/255 against Cranbourne Meadows in the final round of the Kookaburra Cup Twenty20 competition on Sunday.
Its mammoth total was not enough to progress to the semifinals however, after Tooradin defeated Devon Meadows in a thrilling final game at Glover Reserve.
Brett Armitage went for 18 after the Cobras won the toss and batted, however Brett Whittingham (68) and Scott Kunziak (80 shared a 116run secondwicket stand.
Jess Mathers (43 not out) and Craig Boswell (33) got valuable late runs, while S. Sinclair was the Rebels’ only multiple wicket taker.
Wayne Diss (35) and Paul McCutcheon (31) shared a 57run opening stand to give the Rebels some chance of an unlikely victory, but they were dismissed for 131.
Mathers completed his fine game taking 4/24, while junior Anthony Burr claimed 2/37.
The result meant Tooradin had to defeat Devon Meadows to ensure its place in the semifinals.
Peter Zauner (37 off 21) and Bill Loudon (21 off 13) got the Panthers off to a flying start, sharing a 61run opening stand before both batsmen fell in the sixth over.
Travis Canavan (30 off 21), David Simpson (27 off 17) and Tony Scott (17 off 10) helped guide the Panthers to 7/164, Adam Baumgardner (2/25) the Seagulls’ multiple wickettaker.
Tooradin skipper Trevor Johnston and Adam Galea were making light work of the run chase, however an inspired spell from Mick Floyd (3/39) and Bill Loudon (2/40) swung the game back into the balance as the Seagulls stuttered to 7/150.
However Johnston was resolute, remaining undefeated on 94 off just 50 balls to guide his side into the semifinals.
Tooradin meets Beaconsfield in the semifinals after the Tigers easily accounted for Upper Beaconsfield.
Jason Dodd bowled four Maroon batsmen to finish with 4/20 and help dismiss the visitors for 123.
In reply, Kris Fletcher blasted 66 off just 46 balls to guide his side to victory for the loss of six wickets.
Earlier in the day, Emerald registered its first win in the Twenty20 format with a 35run victory over Pakenham UpperToomuc.
Poor bowling allowed the Bombers to knock up 8/180, with Mark Allenson (45) and Ian Litterbach (52). Brett Carey snared 3/27 off his four overs.
The Yabbies’ run chase got off to a flying start with Luke Willis scoring a superb 72 and sharing a 104run secondwicket stand with Chris Sharpe (27).
However the Bomber bowlers ended the Yabbies’ charge, finishing 8/145. Owen Thorne took 2/4.
Cardinia secured its semifinal berth after defeating Nar Nar GoonMaryknoll by 77 runs.
After electing to bat, Cardinia lost experienced opening batsmen Mark Cooper (bowled first ball of the innings) and Ben Darose without scoring. Steve Patterson then revived the Bulls’ floundering innings with a blistering 63 off 43 balls that included 10 fours and a six.
He was the dominant partner in a 106 run third wicket stand with Troy Darose.
The Bulls total of 7/177 was never seriously threatened, with Matt Lowndes (20), Daniel Glen (20) and Sean Sommers (23) the leading batsmen for the combine side.
Adam Hobson was brilliant, capturing 4/9 off three overs, and regular ‘keeper Luke Turner captured 3/10.
Officer was devastating with an 89run win over Clyde.
The Cougar attack had no answer as Brett Reid (51), Chris Savage (33), Sean Marchetti (46) and Ben Baxter (56) guided the Bullants to an imposing 6/208 off their 20 overs.
James Quinn ensured the Bullants’ first Twenty20 win after taking 5/21 off four devastating overs.
Cardinia will play Kooweerup in its semifinal after the Demons progressed to the next stage after Catani forfeited their final round fixture.
Nyora and Lang Lang hastily rescheduled their match, in which Nyora prevailed by 45 runs.
Adam Tagliaferro had a day out for Nyora, blasting 50 and then taking four wickets to help seal the Swamp Tigers’ fate.
Fgrade regular Ben White blasted twos sixes on his way to 38, helping Nyora to 180.
Kelvin Toogood took three wickets to restrict Lang Lang to 135.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:SEMI FINALS
To be played at Glover Reserve, Devon Meadows, Sunday, 11 March 11am Tooradin v Beaconsfield, 2pm Kooweerup v Cardinia.
