MERINDA Park A-grade’s bowlers struggled to take wickets against Officer on Saturday and its bats now face a run chase of 282.
Best of the bowlers was Rick Dennerley who took 3/65 from 15 overs. He was well supported by opening bowler Lucas Hoogenboom with 2/74 from 25 overs.
This will be a test of the Cobras batting line-up on Saturday without Brett Whittingham.
B GRADE
It was slow going initially in the match at Donnelly Reserve against Kilcunda-Bass.
The first seven overs were maidens with opening bowler, Dustin Peebles bowling his first seven as maidens.
The visitors eventually scored 8/180 with Marty Donaldson again among the wickets taking 2/23 from 12 overs.
Brett Whittingham, coming back from injury, took 2/26 from six overs with Dustin Peebles taking 2/34 from 13 overs. Shannon Mathers did the bulk of the bowling to take 1/37 from 18 overs.
C GRADE
The Cobras had a good day with the bat with in-form opener Russell Dunn making 70 in his team’s total of 7/221 against Lyndhurst.
Shaun Hughes held the middle order together with a well-made 45 with Jason Edwards making 28 in a partnership for the seventh wicket with Nathan Beaver that had some good running and intelligent hitting.
D GRADE
The Cobras took on Emerald with the hosts making 4/189. The Cobras will look to their strong batting line-up for a win.
E GRADE RED
The Cobras also took on Emerald and bowled the visitors out for 157.
Gordon Lewis claimed his best figures for the club with 5/37 from 22 overs. Captain Tim Inglis chipped in with 2/11 and Pat Graham had 1/17.
At stumps the Cobras were 2/39 with Craig Glassborow 12 and Matt Inglis 11. Paul Humphrey was five not out.
E GRADE WHITE
The Cobras took on Pakenham Upper and were all out for 61 with the host on 4/103 at stumps. With only four senior players, it will take some time before the new side gets some momentum.
F GRADE
The Cobras took on Nyora at Rutter Park and compiled 9/136 from 35 overs.
Dave Field continued his improvement from last season with 34, captain Phil Kiernan with 20 and Steve Shepherdson with 13.
In the field the Cobras struggled to get wickets and keep the runs under control with Nyora scoring 6/180 from 35 overs.
The main wicket taker was Matt Cuthbertson with 2/15 from four overs and Lee Skipworth 1/1 from one over.
After being bowled out for only 58 last week, the Cobras struck back to win a close match by four runs against Kooweerup.
Andrew Martin was in fine form taking 4/6 from 5.5 overs, Nathan Beaver with 2/8 from eight overs and James Lauglin-Glen taking 1/5 from six overs.
Batting for a second time the Cobras made 0/70 with Andrew Martin 33 not out and Michael Theodoridis 32 not out.
UNDER 14 WHITE
The Cobras played a thrilling tie against Kooweerup with Cobin Barrenger taking 3/10 from six overs and Cody Allan 3/14 from six overs and Glen Salter 2/16.
Batting a second time, the Cobras were 3/18 with Matt Hughes and Brad Twyford making five each with Michael Blackburn three.
UNDER 14 RED
The Cobras had a big outright win over Kilcunda-Bass after making 2/91 with Jarrod Armitage 32 retired, Jason Pongracic 17, Daniel McCalman 17 not out and Matthew Grayson 10.
The Cobras then bowled the hosts out for 24 with Jarrod Armitage taking 5/6 from 5.4 overs, Anthony Burr with 3/8 from six overs, Marcus Beaver 1/1 and Matthew Grayson 1/4.
Batting for a second time Kilcunda-Bass faired a little better being bowled out for 46. The wickets were shared around with Jarrod Armitage taking 2/7, Matthew Pongracic 2/9, Jason Pongracic 1/1, Daniel McCalman 1/2, Anthony Burr 1/6 and Stuart Martin 1/9.
A big win for the Cobras as they go eight points clear on top of the ladder.