Berwick’s Ryan Crawford is up, up and away as he launches an assault on the opposition stumps.
BERWICK’S turfone side failed to build a substantial score in a oneday game and went down for the first time this season to a determined Keysborough on Saturday.
The Bears came into the final game for 2006, full of confidence, but was met by a fierce Keysborough side that won the toss and sent the Bears into bat on home soil.
At the halfway stage Keysborough would have been pleased with its efforts – 1/72 with inform English import Alex Roberts in the sheds with 29 and Steve Carr 37.
Berwick lost Dave Hampton soon after and Ash Henry came in and after the first ten balls ‘went berserk’, taking 14 off six balls before falling for 18.
Justin Stanton was equally as dashing, his 18 coming off three less balls, but became yet another Berwick batsman to get a start and not go on with it, his wicket the fifth for 165 with just three overs remaining.
Gavin Wills (58) helped Berwick to a mediocre total of 182.
Berwick bowlers took some time to find their line, Will Carr even copping a surprising six off his thunderbolts, but they soon settled.
Carr claimed a victim with the first ball of his third over with the score on 25.
Simon Cornell was his customary restrictive self, his first spell of six overs allowing just 18 runs.
A valuable 72 was added for the second wicket, Jarrod Goodes and Henry unable to make inroads, Goodes unlucky to have a couple of chances grassed.
Carr returned and immediately had an impact and Dave Hampton chimed in with a sturdy spell that netted him two important wickets, but it was too little too late for the Bears.
Keysborough had plenty of wickets in hand and needed just 41 runs off the last ten overs.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:TURF TWO
Berwick came up against Maranatha Methodist led by exBerwick player and DDCA league medalist Andrew Cooper.
Berwick batsmen got starts before throwing their wickets away, five dismissed between ten and 33.
Hayden Stanton top scored with 33 and Rob Chilver was out for 25.
James Davies, the newly promoted Matt Crosby and club legend Paul Sperring, making a guest appearance on his return home from England, all scored in the teens.
Berwick was unable to bat out its allotted forty overs, a disappointing yet defendable total of 138 on the board.
Maranatha cruised home, barely looking troubled and losing three wickets.
Brendan Lloyd took two and Sperring one.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:A GRADE
A fivewicket haul from young spinster Michael Dalzotto saw Berwick remain undefeated midway through the season.
Sandown Park was no match for the Bears, after crashing to 6/88 and recovered to amass 132, giving them something to bowl to.
Jim Smith was impressive with the new ball, three wickets added to his tally and two to firebrand Dave Dalzotto, getting the ball rolling for Berwick. That’s when his brother Michael was introduced into the attack capturing the last five wickets to fall.
The total was simply not enough for a strong Berwick batting lineup.
Wayne Margititch took no prisoners on his way to 28, Brad James and Sam Curtis both knocked up 30 and Smith capped off a handy day with 18 as Berwick knocked off the runs with relative ease.
It has all but secured a finals’ birth and Berwick can now concentrate on making top sport.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:B GRADE
Berwick produced a solid team effort against Buckley Ridges.
Brad Eagleton hit 41 and Mark Quinlan 46 and Aidan Mills 36.
Berwick finished with 215, Brett Hogan (16), Rob Witt (15), Damian Quinlan(17) and not out batsmen Steve Carle (13).
Buckley Ridges first pair put on 58, but Matt O’Donoghue put the Bears back in the game with the first three wickets to make it 3/74 off 14, finishing with 3/9 off five.
Ray Henry claimed three victims.
The runs still flowed for Buckley, but the wickets continued to tumble, Ryan Smart and Mills getting one a piece as Berwick brought home victory with a 28run win.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:C GRADE
Berwick batsmen set up a resounding win against Hallam after they put together 189.
Andy Young opened the account with 34 and Josh Holden added 33 to his season runs total.
Mark Angelone got 42 and Will Chapman 24 and Andy Peters 19.
The bowlers backed up the good work of their teammates, Nick Sahannon took two wickets and Daz Yadav claimed one.
Chapman took three wickets and Hallam was 5/86.
Dean Holden and Andy Peters took two wickets and rounded out a solid win for the Bears as Hallam was out for 148.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:D GRADE
Berwick finish off the year with its first win against Springvale South.
Tim Renwick got the Bears off on the right foot and Kyle Wills and Trevor McGeachin took a wicket each.
Andrew Thorpe and Simon Craig took four wickets four wickets between them and South’s was out for 125.
It was never going to be enough, the side showing continued improvement throughout the season and capping all their hard work off with a well deserved victory.
McGeachin made his first significant score with 34 and Craig bashed a quick 38 to bring home the win for Berwick.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:TWENTY20
An exciting win in a highclass match of the shorter version of the game when Berwick met Southern Pirates in the last roundrobin games in the Cricket Victoria competition.
Berwick was patchy in their bowling stint, the Pirates hitting 167 before Alex Roberts hit a dazzling 108 not out.
Berwick is top of its group and go into the final early in the new year.
