A DEADLY bowling attack has set Berwick’s turfone team up for victory against North Dandenong this weekend.
The clash between firstplaced Berwick and thirdplaced North Dandenong was considered by many to be the highlight of the season so far.
It was yet another clinical display from the entire Bears attack, slightly depleted with the absence of an inform Jarrod Goodes, sidelined with an Achilles strain putting the rest of his season in jeopardy.
The ten wickets were shared evenly among the five frontline bowlers with the injection of Ash Henry forming a twostring spin combination with Brendan Lloyd.
Once again Will Carr was far too quick for the top order.
His 13 overs conceded just 14 runs and two wickets.
North Dandenong was 3/26 and Simon Cornell claimed the scalps of both openers in his 3/33.
Berwick bundled North Dandenong out for just 127.
However, the day didn’t go all Berwick’s way with five Bears batmen loosing their wicket as they stumbled to 5/120 at the close of play.
Had it not have been for the whitehot Alex Roberts imposing himself on the game with 70 not out, Berwick could have been in a real predicament.
Although first innings points seem a mere formality for the Bears, an interesting days cricket ensues this week.
TURF TWO
Berwick made an outstanding start to its clash with North Dandenong, the opening batting position occupied by Matt Crosby and captain Rob Chilver who put on a firstwicket stand of 107.
It wasn’t until the 25th over that Chilver, having just smashed the off spinner over the social rooms roof for his second six, was removed for 58.
Crosby progressed into the forties and was joined by James Davies who despite a slow start, found his feet and knocked up 21 before being adjudged lbw.
His wicket sparked another batting collapse for the inconsistent seconds, Crosby out shortly after for a fine 48, Berwick 4/145.
James Wilcock held strong while the more experienced Hayden Stanton reinstated Berwick’s supremacy with some powerful batting and at 5/175 with 29 overs remaining the game was in the balance.
Stanton smashed five fours on his way to 45 and 5/209 soon became 10/219, presenting Berwick with the opportunity to bowl with fire and venom for 15 overs.
Davies didn’t take long to warm up, his fourth ball thundering into the off stump, Paul Gramc crushing the toe of the other opener with his first ball, 20.
Davies produced a snick to the keeper in his fifth over and Matt Lloyd was unplayable in his three overs, two wickets including a fine catch from Stanton at slip to the excitement of his son Tanner who had joined his father and teammates as sub fielder.
Berwick took the honours from day one with North Dandenong reeling at 5/29.
A GRADE
Second placed Berwick met fourth placed Doveton at Edwin Flack reserve with the home side displaying its power with an awesome bowling display.
Jason Taylor led the onslaught taking the first seven wickets to fall as Doveton disintegrated to 647 inside 20 overs.
Five of his seven wickets came from catches.
Aidan Mills in his first game in the third eleven didn’t disappoint, with three wickets in three overs to finish with 3/15 to close out the Doveton innings for just 90.
Berwick lost just one wicket in the remainder of the day and have posted an 80run lead with Mills continuing on from his fine efforts with the ball to finish the day unconquered with the bat, 96 runs to his name.
Brad James played second fiddle but continued his excellent season with an unbeaten halfcentury.
B GRADE
It was an up and down day for Berwick that recovered from 7/99 to finish the day with 255 on the board.
Mark Quinlan was the sole provider with 40 and it wasn’t until Andy Peters at eight hit two sixes and a four to give Berwick some momentum.
He was soon out for 22, but his lower placed teammates restored order, the last three wickets adding 156.
Ray Henry hit 37 before he was caught short of the crease and Ryan Smart played a captain’s knock with six fours and a towering six to be unconquered at compulsory closure on 39.
Again a junior player was the star of the show with Josh Holden blasting 84, including fourteen fours and one six.
C GRADE
The experienced pair of Wayne Viney and Dean Holden showed their younger teammates some of the tricks of the trade with the ball.
Viney returned from a layoff due to work commitments surrounding the Gippsland fires to set ablaze Keysborough’s hopes with the bat, taking 4/41 off 19.4 overs including 16 unchanged.
After cruising to 34 before the first wicket fell, the Bears did well to roll Keysborough for 132.
Holden proved that he won’t be outshone by his son with a bag of five wickets as he bowled 14 overs on the trot.
The batsmen backed up the hard work of the bowlers, closing out the day just two wickets down, Geoff Wilcock out for 21 and Rob Witt not out on 24 with 60 runs on the board.
D GRADE
It was a competitive showing by Berwick, bowling Narre Warren North out for 190.
Skipper Jim Koulas led the way with 3/28 and Dave Caldwell took 2/28.
Michael Caldwell, Neville and Lachlan Stone and Rod Martinez all chipped in with one apiece in one of the better bowling performances from the side this season.
Unfortunately Berwick lost one wicket, but managed to eat 12 runs into its target before the close of play.
