MERINDA Park is set to defend 130 in its grandfinal clash against Pakenham Upper this weekend after a raininterrupted day on Saturday.
The Cobras went into the game against Pakenham Upper and due to the poor conditions the match started on Sunday.
After winning the toss, Cobras’ captain John Proctor decided to bat first.
After losing an early wicket, the Cobras then consolidated to be 1/36 from 11 overs and then lost 3/5 to be in trouble at 4/41.
Opener Darren Smith made 13 and Mark DiPilla 17. Losing Andy Syddall (who has made over 500 runs for the season) early also didn’t help.
John Cuthbertson (35) and Andy Martin (34) played well to consolidate the innings with a 48run partnership.
The run rate was good, however wickets continued to fall.
John Proctor made 16 and tailender Grant Pearson 12.
The Cobras were bowled out for 164 in the 47 over.
With 20 overs to face before stumps, Pakenham Upper scored 17 from only three overs.
The run rate was then kept in check with John Cuthbertson picking up two late wickets to have Pakenham Upper 2/34 at stumps.
Opener Grant Pearson also bowled well to have 0/8 from seven overs, Pat Graham 0/3 from five overs and Nathan Beaver 0/3 from three overs.
UNDER 17
Playing Tooradin in the grand final, the Cobras lost the toss and were in the field first.
Starting the match off well, with two early wickets to captain Michael Theodoridis, the Cobras had Tooradin 2/7 and 3/34.
An excellent fourthwicket partnership of 78 followed with Tooradin batsman Sean Wilson making 52 retired.
The Cobras then got back on top with Tooradin losing 6/17.
At stumps Tooradin was 9/129.
The best of the bowlers were Andrew Martin (3/7 from eight overs), Michael Theodoridis (3/26 from eight overs) and Nathan Beaver (2/30 from eight overs).
Seven dropped catches in the Tooradin innings didn’t help the Cobras.
UNDER 13 SOUTH
Playing Devon Meadows, the Cobras won the toss and decided to bat first.
Jason Pongracic and Simon Spencer were again amongst the runs with Dylan Cuthbertson also batting well.
Pongracic made 72 notout from 49 balls including six fours, Simon Spencer 30 from 44 balls including four fours and Dylan Cuthbertson with 25 from 44 balls.
The Cobras were 3/42 until Simon Spencer and Dylan Cuthbertson got together to compile 58 runs for the fourth wicket.
Jason Pongracic then hit 47 from only 20 balls to help the Cobras score 189.
Les Howell also scored well making 14 with Udesha Kalapuge 10.
Running between the wickets still is a problem with four runouts in the innings.
With a score of 189, the Cobras are confident of a flag win.
