WGCA A grade round 9

By Ian Ferguson
PAKENHAM Upper-Toomuc (PUT) and Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll, which both face the fear of being relegated next season, kept their chances of A-grade survival alive with strong performances at the start of round nine.
In other A-grade matches, Beaconsfield and Tooradin held slight advantages over their respective opponents Officer and Merinda Park, while Catani and Clyde produced strong batting performances opposed to Pakenham and Devon Meadows.
PUT at last produced a convincing performance when it scored a challenging 224 and followed it up with a vital Cardinia wicket in the final eight overs of play. Opener Glenn Kilburn and all-rounder Shannon Price both scored excellent half-centuries, while vice-captain Luke Willis contributed a handy 49.
Cardinia opted mainly to use its spinners and it was Dwayne Doig (4/77 from 23 overs) and Ben DaRose (2/43 from 17 overs) who returned the best figures. Yabbie youngster Ben Keane completed a pleasing day for the host side when he bowled Doig for three and the Bulls resume this week on 1/20.
Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll also seized the initiative late in the day, claiming three quick wickets before Emerald’s batsmen made a partial recovery by the time play ended.
Earlier in the day the visiting Marygoons scored a moderate 172 from 60 overs and it was the middle-order pair of Wade Crawford and Neil Rankin who kept the visitors’ hopes alive with a steadying 46-run partnership. Crawford scored 43 and Rankin 27, but the Goon should have amassed over 200, as six other batsmen reached double figures without one reaching 20.
Clinton Marsh was the Bombers’ main bowler, collecting 3/42 from 17 overs, but it was the Rod Smith who again became the strike bowler. The veteran Bomber returned the remarkable figures of 4/1 from 3.1 overs, which decisively placed the host team in a commanding position. Impressive young wicketkeeper Nathan Leversha continued his superb form by snapping up five catches.
This advantage changed dramatically in the first six overs of Emerald’s innings when the Bombers plunged to 3/14. A steadying unfinished partnership of 47 between Mark Alenson and John Noonan rescued the Bombers, but they still have Paul Govaars to overcome this week. The big opening bowler claimed 2/34 from nine overs and the hopes for Goon success rest on his broad shoulders.
Improving all-rounder Ray Cook was the star of the day when Beaconsfield dismissed Officer for the average total of 181. Cook trundled down his spinners for 28.1 overs, gaining the outstanding figures of 6/93, while Country Week all-rounder Ryan O’Connor grabbed 3/15 from his eight overs after conceding 11 runs in his first six deliveries. The Tigers’ other bowlers were steady and two good catches were accepted in the field.
Ben Tivendale was again to the fore for Officer, scoring 47, while Brett Reid and Peter Quinn contributed 33 and 25 respectively. Beaconsfield advanced to 0/24 in the final 10 overs of play and appeared to be coasting to victory yet again.
Merinda Park crashed to 3/9 after electing to bat at Tooradin, but a fighting partnership between two Cobra veterans brought them sliding back into the contest. Skipper Gary Davidson and Brett Armitage rescued the hosts with a 67-run partnership before Armitage succumbed for 42 and Davidson fell after reaching 59. Late in the innings tailenders Darren Morrow and Shannon Mathers shared a useful stand of 34, which enabled Merinda Park to reach the moderate score of 171.
Country Week regular Matt Finch was again the Seagulls’ best bowler, capturing 5/68 from 25.3 overs, while Ricky Holland picked up 2/25 from 13 hostile overs. Greg Bethune also bowled economically, collecting 1/41 from 23 overs, and promising all-rounder Ben Mantel accepted two fine outfield catches. Tooradin reached 0/4 from three overs to end the day and held a definite advantage at the halfway point.
Pakenham surprised by sending Catani in after winning the toss and the Blues were on song by the end of the day, having scored a formidable 241. Skipper Ben Maroney and opener Brad McDonald were the visitors’ mainstays, scoring 77 and 59 respectively, while Simon Auteri added a useful 28. Dale Haggar was the best of the Lions’ eight bowlers, capturing a pleasing 5/55 from 23 overs, while the durable Dale McCraw collected 3/53. The Lions’ Brett Harrop produced a tidy keeping display, accepting three catches.
A close finish is expected this week. Catani is defending a challenging tally of 241, but its attack is limited.
Clyde bounded away to an excellent start, reaching 1/147 by the afternoon tea break, before Devon Meadows fought back to claim the last nine wickets for 125 runs. The young pair of Callum O’Hare and Jarrod Leontini started the Cougar charge with their excellent 131-run partnership. Leontini recovered his good early-season form, scoring 74, O’Hare continued his pleasing all-round progress by adding 69 and captain Noel O’Brien and Steve Madin contributed 50 not out and 46 respectively.
Devon Meadows deserves praise for the last-session fightback and it was the Panthers’ captain-coach Danny Diwell and experienced all-rounder Bill Loudon who performed best. Diwell snapped up 4/50 from his 19 overs, while Loudon claimed 3/68 from 19 overs. But the host side dropped many catches, one player in particular grassing three fairly easy chances. It will be a formidable challenge for Devon Meadows to score 289, but the ground is in excellent condition so the Panthers’ chances cannot yet be discounted.