PAKENHAM’S A-grade side is set for a run chase against Catani this weekend after bowling the visitors out for 236 on Saturday.
After winning the toss and sending Catani into bat, the Lions bowled tightly, but breakthroughs were hard to come by.
Dale McCraw bowled his usual line and length and made the early inroads by claiming the first wicket.
At tea Catani was 1/105 with plenty of work ahead of the Lions if they were going to keep the total under 250.
After tea Dale Haggar stepped up to the plate and was rewarded for his 23rd over spell by claiming a season best 5/55.
McCraw was also impressive with the figures of 3/53 from 22 tight overs.
Catani finished on 9/236 with the game still up for grabs.
B GRADE
Pakenham went to Upper Beaconsfield, won the toss and bowled.
Wickets fell regularly due to the Lions’ excellent bowling and fielding efforts.
The best of the bowlers was M. Shelton 5/21, M. Merrigan 3/6 and E. Duyker 2/14.
Beaconsfield was all out for 53.
Pakenham had a bat with a low score to chase and struggled, being bowled out for 56.
The Lions had a lead of three runs, Beaconsfield batted again and at stumps was 1/17.
Both sides still have a chance for full points.
The club gave its best wishes to sponsor Gavin Bindley and family of Cactus Black, who helped out the B-grade side, and hopes his wife is well again soon.
D GRADE
Winning the toss and electing to field, Pakenham bowled tightly and consistently having Pakenham Upper-Toomuc 3/12.
G. McCraw picked up the first three wickets, before having to leave early.
PUT was dismissed for 99, then Pakenham batted for three overs finishing on 0/7.
It was a great fielding effort with three subs for the day.
E GRADE
Pakenham won the toss against Pakenham Upper-Toomuc and batted with Paul Hart and Andrew Coe opening.
Paul was out for six, N. Sleep joined Andrew and they put on 80 runs for the second wicket to have the Lions 1/106 at tea.
After tea, wickets fell steadily before Pakenham was all out for 201 in the second last over of the day.
Best of the batsmen were Andrew Coe 57, Nick Sleep 47, Dave Lagerway 21 and Peter Carr 18.
F GRADE
Pakenham lost the toss against Upper Beaconsfield and was sent out to field.
Pakenham opening bowlers S. North and D. Power kept things tight.
North broke through in the third over of the match.
Best of the bowlers were E. Lewis 2/8 and J. McGiven 2/3.
Fielding was excellent with a couple of nice catches and a runout.
Chasing 95, D. Lane and J. McGiven opened with a quick-fire partnership of 22 before E. Lewis came in to make a well-struck 50 in a partnership with S. North who also made 50 runs.
Other good bats were D. Lane 18, B. Wood 18 and P. McInnes 16 not out.
UNDER 16
Playing Pakenham Upper in a must-win game, the Lions started badly at 5/20 off 10 overs until Flynn Visser and Adam Roseby steadied the ship.
Roseby was out for 14 with Pakenham 6/52.
Ainsley Ginger, eight and Visser put on an eighth wicket stand of 38 before the latter was out for a brilliant 42.
A. Ginder remained three not out and Pakenham was all out for 105.
UNDER 14
Pakenham played Maryknoll at Maryknoll, won the toss and chose to bat.
After losing early wickets Visser steadied with an exciting 27, Broderick Selby chipped in with 15 and a good innings from Brody King (6).
However Pakenham was bowled out for 95 from 37 overs.
UNDER 12
Playing Devon Meadows, Pakenham won the toss and batted.
After 40 overs Pakenham finished at 5/118.
Best of the batsmen were Jarrod Davies 18 not out, Brad Stagg 14 not out, Zane McMillan nine and Jordan Muley seven not out.