WGCA other grades

By Ian Ferguson
UPPER Beaconsfield’s early hopes of rebounding into A-grade ranks suffered another setback after the Maroons fell 40 runs short of Kilcunda-Bass’ 208. The visitors were well placed for victory on 2/101 at tea, but excellent catching and two crucial run outs after play resumed swung the game back towards the hosts. Opener David Taylor scored a gritty 48 for Upper Beaconsfield, while Todd Miller captured 3/28 from 15 overs for the victors.
Clyde nearly gained a shock reverse outright win against Merinda Park due to a brilliant second-innings bowling performance by Nathan Lillee. All appeared lost for the Cougars when they lost 5/12 to end their first innings on the embarrassing total of 44, with the destructive Cobra bowler Marty Donaldson returning the outstanding figures of 7/9 from 14.4 overs.
However a superb spell from Lillee, who captured 6/18 from 11 overs, resulted in the Cobras being shot out for 66 in their second dig, which dramatically brought back Clyde into the contest. The hosts fell 13 runs short of their reverse outright target at their stumps score of 8/97, which ended an eventful day of 23 wickets for 175 runs. Derren Sullivan from Clyde scored 38 in the Cougars’ second innings, while Donaldson completed a memorable match by contributing 39 when Merinda Park batted for the second time
Cranbourne Meadows easily defeated Emerald by 133 runs after the hosts batted disappointingly, being dismissed for 132 in their first innings and staggering to 8/150 in their second dig. Rebels leader Shane White returned the excellent match figures of 8/80, while spinner Adam Thornton captured 5/35 in his two stints. Emerald batsmen Cameron Williams, who scored 61, and Geoff Worrell, who reached 33 in the Bombers’ first innings, both performed well.
Beaconsfield stumbled to 9/44 in a disastrous second innings, but still easily disposed of Tooradin by 157 runs. The Seagulls plummeted to a lamentable total of 87 when they batted, despite a defiant knock of 47 from Andy Gray. Rhys Miller captured the fine figures of 5/10 from 11.4 overs for the Tigers, while Dale Bethune captured 4/14 from 12 overs when Beaconsfield suffered its batting debacle. It was a fine bowling double from Bethune, who finished with the superb match figures of 11/74.
Kooweerup gained an impressive 110-run victory over Cardinia. Darren Aurisch, Daniel Strahan and Adam Hobson all contributed 20s when the Demon attack demolished the Bulls for 133, but it was the Kooweerup bowlers who dominated the day. Part-time leg-spinner Mick Damon snared the excellent figures of 6/31 from 18 unchanged overs and classy all-rounder Paul Bright captured 3/24 from 16 overs.
In C grade Lang Lang’s winning bubble burst when it was convincingly defeated by Officer by 77 runs. The Swamp Tigers only compiled a disappointing 137, despite a defiant 39 from teenager Kurt Nestor. Peter Quinn was the star of the Bullants’ fine win, capturing 4/32 from 11.3 overs, while Paul Simon collected 3/30 from 10 overs.
Beaconsfield easily accounted for the Lyndhurst Vikings by 151 runs. The Vikings produced only token batting resistance, being toppled for 109, the wickets being evenly shared among the Tigers’ attack. Beaconsfield then reached 2/38 in its second innings before play ended.
Catani scored a convincing 109-run win over Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll. Alan Downes top-scored with 30 when the Goon totalled only 100 and the bowling damage for the Blues was provided by Bill Purvis and Paul Wade, who returned the excellent respective figures of 6/58 and 4/30. Catani slumped to 7/51 in its second dig, thanks to an inspired spell of bowling from Paul Govaars, who captured 5/29 from 11 overs.
PUT crushed Upper Beaconsfield by 379 runs. Chris Sharpe reached 83 and Brett Carey 51 in the Yabbies’ run banquet.
Gembrook recorded a fine win over Merinda Park. The Brookers produced a matchwinning batting performance, scoring 7/225, thanks to an excellent innings of 56 from Rick Atkinson, and handy scores in the 30s from Andy Williams and Craig Heppell. Nic Reid captured 2/21 from 11 overs and was Merinda Park’s best bowler.
The Devon Meadows C-grade team resoundingly defeated Kilcunda-Bass by 94 runs. A brilliant and chanceless 110 from club veteran Peter Zauner, aided by a quick 48 from Ian Hopper, enabled the Panthers to post the pleasing total of 5/222.
The Emerald D-grade team gained an exciting four-run win against Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll. Jay Kleinsmit scored a valuable 30 for the soaring Bombers, while the Goon’s D. Lucas collected the outstanding figures of 5/56 from 24 overs and veteran Col Hodson snared 4/26 from 25 overs.
Pakenham sneaked home by 14 runs against the Kooweerup. Graham McCraw and Jared Goldsack, with respective bowling figures of 4/38 and 3/21, were the pride of the Lions’ attack, while Chris McConnell scored 25 for the vanquished. The Demons fared better in their second dig, reaching 2/125, McConnell contributing an undefeated 41 and Ryan Wilby 42.
Clyde defeated PUT by 14 runs in a low-scoring encounter. Yabbie Justin Harris top-scored with 38, but PUT was bowled out for 156 and Clyde was 1/17 at the close.
Cranbourne Meadows comfortably accounted for Catani by 100 runs. J. Bowe top-scored for the Rebels with 62, while Clayton Blair chipped in with 48, before the home team declared at 6/189. Catani again batted poorly, tottering to 7/67 by stumps. Blair returned the outstanding match figures of 8/30 to be the man of the match.
Three sixes were included in Kevin Toogood’s blazing innings of 44 when Nyora scored 177, but the visiting team still lost narrowly to Beaconsfield by 19 runs. Gus Patti collected 4/50 from 10 overs for the triumphant Tigers.
Merinda Park defeated the Lang Lang D-grade team by 93 runs. Young Cobra Sam Beaver bowled with venom to capture 4/34 from 11 overs, while Sean Lambie scored an excellent 60 for the Swamp Tigers.
PUT E graders secured victory against Gembrook by 92 runs. The Yabbies declared at 5/167, Luke Gunton making 66 not out, and the Brookers then replied with 5/70 in their second innings.
Cardinia secured early outright points after it whipped out Kooweerup for 105 in the Demons’ disappointing second innings. Cameron Haynes returned the superb match figures of 7/27, while Bulls stalwart Wayne Snooks collected 6/34 in the visitors’ second innings.
Tooradin won its encounter with Merinda Park 2 by 50 runs after the Cobras were dismissed for a lowly 112. Adam Galea collected 3/19 from 13.4 overs for the Seagulls, while Jeff Gillespie scored 25 for the Cobras.
Rob Burns from Devon Meadows was the star against Beaconsfield, scoring 63 after collecting 3/31 on the first week, but his efforts failed to prevent the Tigers roaring home by 38 runs.
Pakenham defeated Emerald by 45 runs after the Bombers were grounded for 76. The Lions’ Mick Chilcott obtained the excellent figures of 7/39 from 30 overs to be the visitors’ matchwinner.
Merinda Park gained a resounding outright win over Officer. The Cobras blazed 156 from only 21 overs before the innings was closed with four wickets in hand and the Bullants then capitulated again, scoring a meagre 52. Cobra captain Tim Inglis batted at a rattling pace to score 88, while his teammate Rob Strang captured 4/13 from seven overs in Officer’s second innings.
Lyndhurst’s Nick Booth was the dominant player in F grade, capturing 5/14 from six overs and later scoring 51. Other F graders to reach the retirement score of 50 included Stuart Lee (Lyndhurst), Tim Anderson (Officer), S. McFarlane (Catani), Chris Curran (Upper Beaconsfield) and Josh Paxton-White and Mick Lewis (Cranbourne Meadows).
In junior ranks Beaconsfield under-16 player Jack Benbow collected a prized hat-trick against Officer and finished his superb three-over spell with 3/2. Officer’s Kerrod Bolsman batted well for the Bullants in this match, reaching 29.
PUT Gold under-14 player Ben Spicer continued his good form, reaching the retirement score of 31. He also retired in his last innings and has not been dismissed this season.