UPPER Beaconsfield’s Bgrade team easily defended its 231 on Saturday, bundling Tooradin out for 153 on Saturday to win by 79 runs.
Playing at Maryknoll Village, the Maroons made early inroads into the Tooradin upper order.
Glen Kilburn (2/20 from 10 overs) and Aaron Gray bowled accurately and the attack soon accounted for many of the Seagull top bats.
The Seagulls plummeted to 7/85 before some resolute defence from a couple of younger batters blunted the Upper Beaconsfield bowlers.
The introduction of legspinner Andrew Haythorpe produced a handy short spell that generated 2/17 from his challenging bounce and turn.
The stock bowling was done by skipper Scott Pitcher who eased two batsmen out and managed to record 2/46 from 18 overs as he led the attempted assault.
Luke Pitcher also was hard to hit, capturing 1/21 from 11 awkward overs.
This effort from the bowlers was aided by some excellent fielding that generated two runouts.
The ‘Battle for the Little Ashes’ takes place next round as neighbours Beaconsfield take on the northern rivals in the local derby.
C GRADE
Upper Beaconsfield managed to score its best total for the season 6/251 on the first Saturday of the match, but as in other matches its opening bowlers struggled to break through and Officer won a close game. The Maroons rushed through their overs to tea, bowling a very good 40 overs and having Officer 2/128 still requiring a further 124 to make from the remaining 30.
A few dropped catches and some unlucky umpiring decisions made the task even more demanding, particularly as Rod Zlonzak plundered the bowling every time he had a life.
After the big hitter departed having survived four chances from Rob Hansen’s bowling, the match became much tighter.
Shawn Hassall (3/73 from 24 overs) jammed up one end in a marathon effort and was supported by Dave Ardley century maker the week before who bowled extremely well at times to take 2/88 from 23 in the heat.
Unfortunately the Bullants swarmed past the total with two overs to spare.
F GRADE
In a first for the season Upper Beaconsfield played on the newly redrained oval at home.
The Maroons batted first and compiled 123 from its stint of overs.
Newcomers Craig Alger (32) and Gary Hunt (25) led the onslaught and were supported by evergreen Richard Edwards who made a neat 19.
When Pakenham UpperToomuc batted, the combined efforts of Richard Edwards (3/10) and Stuart Bryen (3/14) thwarted the Yabbies who were dismissed for 115, just short of the target required.
UNDER 13 WHITE
Playing the undefeated Nar Nar GoonMaryknoll and losing the toss in warm conditions, the team bowled and fielded well, taking catches when offered.
Kyle Gibbs bowled well and got the early breakthrough for 1/8.
Wicket takers were Toby Sherer (3/12), Josh Cahill (2/3), Jarryd Briffa (1/1), Simon Prowse (1/2), Scott Grey (1/6) and Jye McManus (1/8).
An end result of 67 all out, with Matt Hutson taking two good catches.
Upper Beaconsfield batted and played well, making 9/109 with Matt Hutson 32 not out and batting well, Toby Sherer (16), Kyle Gibbs (11) and Jack Brown (9). New players Scott Grey and Tom Friedman batted well, getting 6 each.
