A MAGNIFICENT 125 from Ben DaRose guided Cardinia’s Agrade side to a 70run victory on Saturday as the Bulls charged towards the formidable total of 8/446 against Pakenham UpperToomuc.
Luke Turner also turned on his talent as he smashed 100 notout from less than 50 balls for the second time this season.
The day’s pursuit started well with Mark Cooper and John Nooy putting on 52 for the first wicket before the former was out for 30. He fell just 28 runs short of the WGCA Agrade runs record of 804 held by former Yabbie Glenn Marinac.
Steve Paterson blasted 65 in quick time, sending the ball to the fence no fewer than nine times and Troy DaRose only ran 10 of his 50 runs as more boundaries flowed.
The score was 3/170 when Ben DaRose arrived at the crease and his steady head guided the Bulls past the Yabbies’ total.
This was a personal best score for DaRose, eclipsing his previous best of 118 against Devon Meadows last year.
Dwayne Doig batted superbly as he compiled 28 at a crucial stage of the innings and with his dismissal came the entrance of Luke Turner.
Many of the PUT players need hiking boots during Turner’s innings as he sent the ball crashing up into the scrub on no fewer than nine times.
Off one Brett Carey over he took 24 runs with four sixes. He brought up his second century of the season and the stumps were drawn when Adam Hobson was dismissed: he now averages 56 at PUT.
Cardinia is now looking forward to its semifinal bout with Catani.
B GRADE
Ryan Kitchin’s 5/78 wasn’t enough to stop Beaconsfield as it stormed towards 7/303 on Saturday.
Kitchin was well supported by Brodie Glen, who collected 2/40 from 12 tight overs.
Toby Odlum’s return had positive signs and a return to the Bulls’ pen next season may be on the cards.
D GRADE
An up and down season for Cardinia ended in an outright loss on Saturday to Nar GoonMaryknoll.
After the Marygoons declared the previous week on 5/227 Cardinia needed 116 to make them bat again and scored 118 with Matt Hobson again doing well in the second innings with 57.
Ryan Webster found form with a solid 19 and Matthew Argoon 18.
After one over in reply, the Marygoons were 0/5 and took maximum points to sneak into the finals.
E GRADE
Cardinia finished its season on the top of the ladder after a solid firstinnings win on Saturday against Lyndhurst.
Matt Ryan (80) and Jeff Baily (78) both scored well in Cardinia’s firstinnings total of 210.
In reply Lyndhurst was all out for 108, with Chris Lemmon destroying the Vikings with 6/48.
Wayne Snooks chipped in with 4/11.
In the Bulls second innings Pete McEwan a magnificent 53 notout brought up with a towering six. Craig Bell also made a fine 37.
UNDER 15
Cardinia chased KilcundaBass’ 151 with relative ease on Saturday morning.
Jason Fisher was again amongst the runs with 35 and Brett Venn made 26 batting at number 10.
Trav Kitchin got 20 and Pat Nolan 13 in the Bulls’ total of 180.
The Bulls will now host Clyde as they look to progress to the grand final.
CLUB NOTES
The club congratulated Jenny Snooks and Peter McEwan on the birth of their first son last week.
