DEVON Meadows Agrade side squandered a solid start to be bowled out for just 192 against Tooradin at Junction Village on Saturday.
The day got off to a poor start for the home side when Darren Cooper was caught behind in the first over of the day, however Darren O’Brien and Daniel Steet helped steady the innings, adding 60 runs before O’Brien miscued a pull shot on 33.
Captain Travis Canavan joined Steet and the pair comfortably steered the Panthers towards the tea break until Steet lofted an off drive, falling for 25 and leaving the Panthers 3/97 at the break.
Canavan was the first wicket to fall after the interval, his promising innings ending on 27.
His dismissal triggered a middleorder collapse, with Bill and Doug Loudon, Peter O’Brien and Matthew Davidson all failing to reach double figures.
David Simpson’s promising innings ended in unusual circumstances. After calling for a runner, following an injury to a quadricep, he was run out for 34.
After plunging to 9/166, a gritty 26run stand between Peter Zauner (22 not out) and Mick Floyd (15) helped add respectability to the innings.
C GRADE
Devon Meadows is within two runs of victory in its encounter against Officer after an unexpected bag of wickets from Glen Fairbrother.
Brought on so that opening bowlers Lincoln Hepburn and Matt Boswell could change ends, Fairbrother made the most of his rare bowling opportunity by taking two wickets in his first over. He then claimed two more as he singlehandedly tore through the Bullant’s top order to finish with 4/17.
Neil Baker (2/22) and Justin Mentiplay (3/1 off 3.2 overs) took care of the rest as the Panthers dismissed the visitors for 97.
With 25 overs to bat, Dave Carson and Tony Scott made light work of the runchase, Carson (32) the only wicket to fall as the Panthers reached 1/95 in reply.
Tony Scott (53 not out) and skipper Lincoln Hepburn (three not out) will resume this week looking to build a big firstinnings lead.
E GRADE
Devon Meadows is delicately poised against Tooradin, after reducing the home side to 5/57 after being skittled for 91.
The Panthers were sent in and promptly plunged to 4/25 before James Howard (21) and skipper Danny O’Sing (24) added 47 for the fifth wicket.
However, the rest of the Panther’s inexperienced lineup offered little resistance, setting Tooradin a moderate run chase.
The Panthers showed more resilience with the ball as Luke Wishart (2/16) and Brett Vance (2/27) brought their side back into the contest in what should be a thrilling conclusion on Saturday.
F GRADE
The Panthers got their season off to a winning start, making 6/256 in reply to Pakenham UpperToomuc massive 7/230.
Alan Tibballs (2/24), Ben Fengler (2/46), John Bowles (1/39) and Bill Dauterive (1/55) took the wickets for the Panthers, while Peter Dunkley (52 retired), Tibballs (44), Travis Mohr (40 not out) and Darren Morrow (39) were among the runs.
UNDER 15
Devon Meadows is in a strong position against reigning premiers Catani, restricting the visitors to 9/102.
Brandon Mackie took three wickets in his third over to finish with 3/6, while Luke Howard took 2/18. Nathan Worsteling (1/2), Daniel Marascia (1/9), Ben Hussey (1/9) and Hayden Enlund (1/26) also took wickets.
UNDER 13
The young Panthers have already secured firstinnings points against Cardinia.
After going down in their oneday clash against the Bulls in round one, the Panthers put in a much stronger performance on Sunday to dismiss the visitors for just 50.
Josh Walker (4/15), Nathan Worsteling (3/8), Daniel Horvath (1/0), Alex Edgar (1/4) and Dan Martens (1/21) took the wickets.
In reply, Ben Hussey and Kyle Salerno (23 not out apiece) guided their side to victory and will resume at 0/69 this week.
