By Ian Ferguson
WICKETS tumbled at regular intervals in the under17 south semifinal at Kooweerup.
The visiting Tooradin team was shot out by the Demon attack for 80, due to destructive spells of bowling from Ryan Wilby (4/25 from eight overs) and John Bright (3/14 from 6.4 overs).
However the Seagulls soared back into the contest in the final nine overs of play when Kooweerup slumped to 3/15 and it was ‘game on’ when play resumed on Sunday.
This expectation, however, proved to be an illusion, as the Demons were wiped out for 49.
James Howard (3/3 from six overs) and Daniel Wallis (3/8 from five overs) both bowled capably and Jack Carson’s innings of 19 was the Demons’ top score.
In the other semifinal, the game appeared to be evenly poised after day one.
Barry Madekis top scored with 31 when Lang Lang totalled 88, while Merinda Park’s Nathan Beaver collected a tidy 4/21 from eight overs.
Next day the Cobras slid past the visitor’s score with ease when they posted a total of 1/91. James Laughlin Glen scored 37 not out and Andrew Martin was undefeated on 25.
UNDER 17 NORTH
The semifinal saw Pakenham UpperToomuc (PUT) reach the respectable tally of 163 against the Beacy Bandits.
Grant Barklay top scored for the Yabbies with 33, while Tom Warburton collected 3/28 from eight overs for the Bandits.
On Sunday the Bandits only lost five wickets before overtaking PUT’s total with Madison Andrews top scoring with 50 notout, while Cheyne Pettit remained undefeated on 41.
The other semifinal between Emerald Black and Nar Nar GoonMaryknoll saw the Marygoons tally 126 on day one.
Daniel Glen and Brent Hughes, who scored 45 and 26 respectively, were the Marygoons’ mainstays and the wickets were evenly shared among the Bomber bowlers.
However, the Bombers remained in cruisecontrol and scored 4/132 next day.
Zeb Quigley (32), Ash Lucan (27 notout) and Byron Sidwell (27) all scored significant runs for the winning team.
UNDER 15 NORTH
The Beacy Eagles soared to a total of 105 against Put Yabbies in the semifinal. Lachlan Murphy top scored with 21 for the Eagles.
Emerald Black scored a commanding 6/188 in the other semifinal against Beaconsfield.
Jesse Dodd, Andrew Alenson and Tom Baldock all reached the retirement score of 30 for the Bombers.
Beaconsfield succumbed for 89 next day, despite the resistance of Brent Colling who reached 27.
The Blacks’ Tye Johnston captured the superb figures of 4/1 from six overs to be Emerald’s match winner.
UNDER 15
In the other semifinal between Tooradin and Catani, it was the Seagulls who swooped on a fourwicket victory.
Russell Lehman top scored with 44 notout for the Blues, while Jack Barker (3/11 from seven overs) was Tooradin’s most successful bowler.
On Sunday Jay Wilson retired on 30 and Jaydyn Thomson (29) also performed well for Tooradin. Tom Keily (3/16 from six over) was Catani’s best bowler
Clyde totalled 5/131 in the semifinal at Cardinia.
Joel Avard and Patrick Lawson scored 31 and 30 respectively for the Cougars and on Sunday the Bulls cantered past their total by 19 runs.
Brad Tanner top scored with 41 not out, while Dylan Hadfield snared 2/5 from six probing overs for Clyde.
UNDER 13 NORTH
Upper Beaconsfield tallied 133 in its semifinal against Beacy Blitz. Matt Buntine reached the retirement score of 25.
PUT Yabbies won an exciting game against the Beacy Eagles in the final over of play.
It was an all Beaconsfield affair in the other under 13 north semifinal, with the Minors scoring 125 against the Eagles.
Dylon Blizzard top scored with 32, while Arvind Krishnamourthy reached 23.
The Eagles only managed 75 in reply with James Munro top scoring with 24, while the Minors Nathan Madded snared 2/1 from three accurate overs.
UNDER 13 SOUTH
In the semifinal between Merinda Park and Pakenham Gold, the young Cobras batted with venom to total a mammoth 315.
Jason Pongracic was again outstanding, scoring a brilliant undefeated 103 from only 52 deliveries and 13 fours and three sixes were included in his superb innings.
Simon Spencer reached 42 notout from 25 balls. His innings in Merinda Park’s run orgy included five fours and a six.
Dylan Cuthbertson, Josh Prudden, Les Howell and Luke Garingbould all retired after scoring 20s.
Pakenham responded well next day reaching 9/144. Zane McMillan scored a pleasing 36 notout and the wickets were evenly shared among the Cobras’ nest of bowlers.
The other under 13 south semifinal saw Cardinia post 106 against Devon Meadows.
Nick Cairns top scored for the young Bulls with 17, while Ben Hussey (3/5 from 3.5 overs, and Nathan Worsteling (3/16 off five overs) both produced excellent bowling performances.
On Sunday the young Panthers gained victory by 21 runs when they totalled 126.
Andrew Lay and Hussey both retired in the 20s, while Anthony NorthEast scored 24.
