Right: Merinda Park’s star number three Brett Whittingham shows good judgment during his 33 for the Cobras on Saturday.By Ian Ferguson
TOORADIN captaincoach Trevor Johnston placed his team in a commanding position by scoring a stylish century against Emerald at the weekend.
In other games in West Gippsland Cricket Association A grade, Catani resoundingly returned to form by amassing 312 at Nar Nar Goon, Beaconsfield posted 304 against Pakenham and the Cougars and Merinda Park were engaged in a close contest at Clyde. Cardinia was strongly positioned against the Panthers at Devon Meadows and Officer was marginally better placed than Pakenham UpperToomuc (PUT) at the halfway point of their game.
Emerald started well when they removed Tooradin’s Michael Ash with only one run on the board, but that was the Bombers’ only decisive strike for the day. Johnston and Brenton Adams then consolidated the position with a secondwicket halfcentury stand before an inspired bowling spell from Emerald captain Quentin Lucas briefly interrupted the run feast.
For the second match in a row Lucas grabbed five wickets and the wily medium pacer nearly gained successive hattricks (a missed chance in the gully region spoilt this remarkable achievement). But when Tooradin slipped to 5/135 at the start of the final session the Bombers became hopeful of blitzing the visitors’ batting.
However Johnston, who was 99 not out at tea, went on to 134 and, when Matt Finch answered his batting critics by compiling a fine 75, the Seagulls soared to the formidable total of 9/323. Lucas finished with the excellent figures of 5/43 from 18 overs to clearly take the bowling honours of the day, but the talented skipper, and other key Bomber batsmen, will need exceptional efforts this week to match Tooradin’s huge score.
Nar Nar GoonMaryknoll grassed a golden opportunity to take control of its home game when they dropped Nic Close from the opening delivery of the day and the talented Catani opener made his opponents pay dearly for their mistake.
Close went on to score a stylish 88 and pleasing halfcenturies from skipper Ben Maroney and handy allrounder Simon Auteri decisively swung the game towards the visiting Blues. Brent Demamiel later added an undefeated 33 and Catani’s final tally of 312 will be difficult for the Goon to overcome. Brendan McGrath was again the star of their attack, claiming 5/91 from 25.2 overs, while Steve Lewis provided good support with his 3/62 from 16 overs.
Beaconsfield also joined the triplecentury class after tallying 304 against Pakenham. The talented Tigers produced a solid batting performance, with Brad Miles scoring an excellent 94, the consistent Don Kerslake contributing 45, Jason Dodd adding 33, while Rick Colling and captaincoach Luke Sibley each scored 20.
Pakenham dropped Miles three times during his telling innings, but not all of the Lions’ problems were caused by their errors. Key fast bowler Dale McCraw was unfortunately forced from the field with an ankle injury, which significantly depleted the Lions’ attack.
However, in McCraw’s absence, Pakenham’s captaincoach Andrew Cooper rose magnificently to the bowling challenge, capturing the superb figures of 7/121 from 33 gruelling overs. The Lions batsmen will need to emulate Cooper’s tenacious performance to match the reigning premier’s impressive day one.
Merinda Park battled hard to score the reasonable total of 176 after electing to bat first at the Clyde ground. Peter Jessop was the Cobras’ batting mainstay, scoring his maiden halfcentury in A grade ranks, while a solid 33 from Brett Whittingham and scores in the 20s from captain Gary Davidson and allrounder Rick Dennerley enabled the visitors to post their competitive score.
Bryan Guthrie gained a wicket with his first delivery of the match and he continued his pleasing form through the innings, claiming 5/61 from his 28 overs, while Steve Madin and captaincoach Noel O’Brien each chipped in with two wickets. The Cobras made a crucial strike in the final four overs of play, when Lucas Hoogenboom dismissed the dangerous Madin for a duck, and the game will be evenly poised this week when the Cougars resume on 1/8.
Devon Meadows produced a disappointing batting performance, being dismissed for a lowly 121 against the visiting Cardinia team. Captaincoach Danny Diwell topscored with 37, after openers Steet and Cooper both compiled useful 20s, but it was the Bulls’ spinner Dwayne Doig who dominated the day.
The artful Doig made a late start to the season, but he showed again that he is the premier bowler in the competition by snaring the superb figures of 7/39 from 18.2 overs, while John Grogan provided his customary strong support, claiming 2/58 from 23 overs. Cardinia further enhanced its strong position, reaching 2/40 by the close of play, with Steve Paterson still at the crease on 12, while Troy DaRose was on 17. Travis Canavan continued his good allround form and he will resume this week with the figures of 2/9 from three overs.
Officer appeared likely to post a huge score against PUT for much of the day, but finally the Bullants had to settle for the competitive total of 221. Ben Tivendale and Clinton Williams provided a strong opening stand of 79 and, when the Bullants reached 4/158, a 300plus total beckoned. However a combination of undisciplined batting, combined with steady bowling from the Yabbies, resulted in a minor collapse and Officer slipped to 8/174. But sensible lateorder batting from Andrew Tucker and Troy Longmuir revived the situation and carried the host’s total beyond 200.
Tivendale topscored with an impressive 65, Daniel Savage contributed a hardhitting 47, while Tucker and Longmuir scored 28 and 23 respectively. Shannon Price captured 3/44 from 13.1 overs for PUT, while Ben Keane, Glenn Kilburn and Chris Buckland each gained two wickets.
