By Ian Ferguson
RICHARD Goodenough, Upper Beaconsfield’s new player from the English county of Suffolk, made a memorable Bgrade debut when he scored an excellent 98 for Upper Beaconsfield against Cranbourne Meadows.
An undefeated 48 from Scott Pitcher and a valuable 47 from David Mitchell helped the Maroons to tally 6/273 that should enable them to retain top position on the ladder.
Tooradin has already gained first innings points in its Bgrade clash with PUT.
The Yabbies lost their grip on the game when they were shot out for 72 and it was the Seagull speedster Ricky Holland who did the damage capturing the superb figures of 6/19 from 16 overs.
Tooradin then compiled a formidable 5/183 in the final 38 overs of the day and the innings was dominated by a determined 102 from Shane Sparks and a fine hand of 64 from Ben Mantel.
Nar Nar GoonMaryknoll only managed 157 against Nyora, but a late wickettaking burst from Brendan McGrath dramatically brought the home side back into the contest in the final four overs of play.
A resolute score of 50 from Matthew Lownds was vital to the home team’s prospects earlier in the day, when Nyora pace bowler Nick Fairbank captured the excellent figures of 5/41 from 20.1 overs.
However the visitors slumped to 2/6 before stumps were drawn and will struggle to match the Goon’s total next week.
KilcundaBass compiled a useful 9/216 at Beaconsfield that gives its strong bowling attack a sound base to press for victory this week.
James Mahood (42) and Paul Mohascy (30) were the main run scorers for KillyBass, while the wickets for Beaconsfield were evenly shared between Rhys Miller (3/60), Jarrod Williams (3/53) and Matt Ravenhall (2/18).
Emerald is well placed in its game against Pakenham.
The Bombers posted the competitive total of 180 thanks to a fine hand of 80 from Cameron Williams and the Emerald allrounder continued his good form with the ball.
Currently Williams has the excellent figures of 3/11 from seven overs and the anticipated Lions’ roar was only a whimper when it crashed to 5/45 at stumps.
Little separates Cardinia and Merinda Park at the halfway point of the game.
The Cobras compiled 106 in its innings, while Cardinia reached 17 without loss at stumps. Matt Adlam (4/25) and Brodie Glen (3/23) were the best of the Bulls’ herd of bowlers.
C GRADE
Devon Meadows is poised to take first points against the Officer this week.
The Panthers are currently a commanding 1/95 in reply to the Bullants’ disappointing tally of 97 and the home side players have dominated proceedings.
Glen Fairbrother (4/17) and Justin Mentiplay (3/1) destroyed Officer’s batting lineup, while an unbeaten halfcentury from Tony Scott has all but assured victory.
A determined hand of 26 from Officer stalwart Paul Simon was the only bright spot for the visiting team.
Lang Lang continued its encouraging early season form by compiling a formidable 6/206 against the Lyndhurst Vikings.
Early in proceedings the Swamp Tigers were a shaky 4/24, before an excellent undefeated innings of 77 from Sam Cole and a useful hand of 45 from Kurt Nestor rescued the home side.
Honours were shared on day one in the clash between Gembrook and Clyde.
Anthony Williams top scored with 37 when the Brookers totalled 17 and Clyde advanced to 2/26 in reply. D. Johnstone and C. Blair each captured three wickets in the Cougar attack.
Upper Beaconsfield appears to hold a slight advantage over the Pakenham in a lowscoring game.
The Maroons reached the moderate total of 109 with Matthew Scanlon and Steve Finnerty both scoring 30s, but Pakenham has slumped to 2/19 in reply.
Lions’ bowler Daryl Williams and Andrew Miller captured the respective figures of 4/19 from 22 overs and 4/40 from 17 overs to initially place their team in a strong position.
Kooweerup holds the upper hand in its clash with Catani.
Ross Kortholt scored a fighting 54 when the Blues totalled 105, but the Demons have already reached 1/78 in reply. Trent Cochrane captured 4/10 from his 6.3 overs, while Jack Carson scored 30 when Kooweerup batted.
Nar Nar GoonMaryknoll is strongly placed to defeat Beaconsfield.
Dave Lennon top scored with 30 when the Tigers totalled a lowly 112 and the Goon reached a strong 1/51 in reply.
Andrew Cox and Mitch Abbott both captured three wickets for the Marygoons and Sean Somers was 23 not out when the home side reached 1/51 by the close of play.
D GRADE
Cranbourne Meadows has already secured firstinnings points against Clyde.
The Cougars were subdued for a lowly 45 when they batted, with Jay Viney returning the superb figures of 7/14 from 9.5 overs for the visiting Rebels.
The Meadows have already reached the score of 7/186 and may press strongly for an outright win this week. T. Poole scored 66 and B. Warrehom 59 in the Rebels’ winning total.
Robert Bodsworth fell three runs short of a well deserved century when he was left stranded on 97 not out for KilcundaBass.
KillyBass scored 8/182 against Merinda Park and is well placed to win.
Little separates the Tooradin and Pakenham.
Darren Mantel top scored with 35 not out when the Seagulls totalled 104 and the Lions are a struggling 3/32 in reply.
Mick Chilcott captured 4/33 from nine overs for Pakenham, while Mitch Adderly currently has 2/12 from his eight overs for the Seagulls.
Cardinia and Beaconsfield both have winning chances, while Emerald appears to have the upper hand against Nyora.
Billy Hayes and Billy Hessells both scored 40s when Nyora totalled 120, while C. Sweeney was 21 not out when play ended.
Nar Nar GoonMaryknoll scored 144 against PUT.
Scott Campbell top scored for the Marygoons with 39 and the Yabbies have reached 0/6 in reply.
E GRADE
The game between Tooradin and Devon Meadows remains in the balance.
The Panthers were scattered for 91, thanks to an inspired burst of bowling from Brad Richmond who captured the outstanding figures of 7/45 from 21 overs. However the Tooradin batsmen also struggled and at stumps the Seagulls were a shaky 5/57.
Officer appears to hold a slight advantage over Lang Lang.
The Swamp Tigers succumbed for 131 with Ross Douglas top scoring with 64, while Daryl Timms ripped through the visitors’ batting, claiming 6/28 from ten destructive overs.
Officer responded by reaching 3/70 at stumps with Gary Tivendale scoring 36.
Merinda Park has already secured the points against Gembrook.
The Brookers fell for 104 with Jace Field claiming 4/23 from eight overs, while Andrew Shipp currently enjoys the figures of 4/30 in Merinda Park’s innings.
There was an amazing change of fortunes in the Beaconsfield and Emerald game.
The Tigers had crashed to 8/58, but bold batting from the tailenders enabled them to reach the respectable tally of 164. John Martin scored an excellent 97 for the Tigers and the Bombers are currently 3/59 in reply.
Cardinia already has the points over Kooweerup.
The Demons, who were fired out for 127, had no answer to excellent bowling from C. Legimon who collected 7/49 from 15 overs. Craig Bell then scored 68 when the Bulls reached 6/157 at stumps.
Either side could still win in the Lyndhurst/ PUT clash.
Craig Lee top scored for the Vikings with 56 when the home side scored 126 and the Yabbies are currently 3/32 in reply.
Aaron Straughill looms as a danger for PUT, as at present he enjoys the figures of 2/4 from four overs.
F GRADE
Brendon De Rosario started the season in sensational style by capturing 5/0 from 2.3 overs for Clyde against KilcundaBass.
Nyora’s Shane Elwerd also bowled well, claiming 4/2 from three overs.
J. Nicholson (Officer) and the Yabbie pair of M. Cove and J. Bowler all reached the retirement score of 50.
Catani and Cranbourne Meadows both won their matches by forfeit from their respective opponents, Beaconsfield and Emerald.
JUNIORS
There were also three outstanding bowling performances in under15 ranks.
Pakenham’s T. Daly captured 4/1 from four overs, Jarred Armitage (Merinda Park Whites) snared 4/25 off six overs, while PUT’s Matthew Dinnie collected 5/8 from six overs.
Russell Lehman (Catani), Owen Milton (KilcundaBass), Dave Tobin (Tooradin) and Andrew Alenson (Emerald Black) all retired from batting after scoring 30 runs or better.
Two under17 players reached the retirement score of 50, with Nyora’s J. Hackett reaching 58 while Sam Pullen from Nar Nar GoonMaryknoll scored 50.
The under13 competition is well under way and teams will play on Fridays and Saturday mornings when daylight saving starts this weekend.
