Right: Devon Meadows bowler Mick Floyd in action during his 17-over spell against PUT on Saturday.DEVON Meadows A-grade side is set for a sizeable run chase of 268 against Pakenham Upper-Toomuc (PUT) this Saturday.
Fiery opening spells from Craig Boswell and Travis Canavan reduced the home side to 4/69 before Darren Warne and John Miller steered the hosts to 4/114 at tea.
The Panthers further tightened their grip on the game when Mick Floyd (1/67) and Darren O’Brien (1/32) combined to remove both Yabbie batsmen during a 33-delivery scoreless stretch to have the home side reeling at 6/134.
However some controlled hitting and lusty stroke play from Luke Willis and Anthony Young swung the momentum back towards the Yabbies, the pair adding 109 runs for the seventh wicket.
It took the reintroduction of Canavan and Boswell to make the breakthrough and wrap up the tail, the pair going on to take the final three wickets for just four runs.
Canavan continued his excellent start to the season, taking 4/71 off 22 overs, while Craig Boswell was unlucky not to be further rewarded, taking 3/59 from 21 overs.
The Panthers will resume at 0/2 after facing the final over of the day.
C GRADE
The Panthers’ clash with competition pacesetters Lang Lang was evenly poised after the Swamp Tigers reached 9/219 at Glover Reserve.
Peter Zauner’s early breakthrough justified skipper Lincoln Hepburn’s decision to send the visitors in, however Lang Lang consolidated and took the score to 62 when Chris Blake claimed his first wicket.
When Zauner (2/26) and Blake (2/29) each claimed their second shortly before the tea break the Panthers were back on top, Lang Lang 4/79 at the interval.
Matt Davidson broke a dangerous 48-run fifth-wicket stand and a sharp stumping by experienced ’keeper Peter O’Brien off the bowling of Neil Baker (1/36) the following over had the visitors at 6/122.
However the home side was unable to land the killer punch, Lang Lang going on to set the Panthers 220 for victory this week.
Matt Davidson persevered to take 4/72 off 20 overs.
E GRADE
The clash with Merinda Park is evenly balanced, the Panthers striking back late in the day after being dismissed for 165.
The loss of regular wickets prevented the Panther innings from gaining any momentum, Steven Hosking (16) and Justin Mentiplay (18) providing the greatest resistance as they lurched to 6/73.
A 49-run stand between Finning First National Player of the Week and stand-in skipper Brett Vance (53) and junior prospect James Howard breathed life into Devon Meadows’ floundering innings.
A sparkling 24 not out from rising star Corey Leslie helped lift the Panthers to the moderate total of 165 off just 45 overs.
However the game took another twist late in the day, as Jason Osborne (2/12 off 10 overs) removed both Cobra opening batsmen, the home side creeping to 2/22 off the final 22 overs of the day.
DEVON MEADOWS
UNDER 14 WHITE
Defending 137, Devon Meadows White failed to capitalise on an excellent start, Catani going onto reach 8/209.
Opening bowlers Luke Howard (1/25) and Daniel Marascia (1/18) reduced the home side to 2/3 in the fourth over. However some sloppy bowling and excellent batting quickly saw the deficit erased, the Blues reaching their target in the 26th over.
Hayden Enlund finished with 3/33, while Ben Hussey (1/9) and Chris Morrell (1/33) also took wickets.
DEVON MEADOWS
UNDER 14 RED
Chasing Kilcunda-Bass’ 156, Devon Meadows Red was dismissed in the tenth over for a disappointing 19.
Batting a second time, the young Panthers put up a much stronger showing, reaching 4/82 off the final 23 overs of the day.
Brandon Wapshot led the way with 26 not out, while Brandon Mackie reached 21 not out. Luke Ostram made nine.
CLUB NOTES
Santa will make an appearance at the Devon Meadows Christmas break up on Saturday night at the Devon Meadows Sports and Entertainment Centre. Festivities kick off at 7.30pm.
