Beaconsfield Cgrade opening batsman Ross Mitchell in action. Mitchell top scored with 68 in the Tigers’ semifinal win over Kooweerup. By Ian Ferguson
KILCUNDABASS and Nyora provided the shocks of the Bgrade season when they tipped pregame favourites Nar Nar GoonMaryknoll and Upper Beaconsfield out of the 200607 finals’ series.
KilcundaBass compiled a satisfactory total of 180 at Nar Nar Goon after electing to bat first.
Valuable innings of 56 and 41 from Paul Palmer and Craig Hart respectively, helped the Sharks nose their way to this tally, but the star of the opening day of the semifinal was the Goon’s second change bowler Dave Harvie.
Harvie returned the outstanding figures of 6/33 from 12 overs, while Brendan McGrath and Craig Lewis shared the other wickets.
Bgrade’s minor premiers maintained control of the match for most of the day and the Marygoons appeared to be destined for a grandfinal spot when play resumed on Sunday.
However the pace attack of the underdogs, combined with a staggering four unnecessary runouts, saw KilcundaBass record a stirring victory.
Sharks’ captaincoach Dean Pipicelli shook off his recent injury problems to claim three toporder Marygoon batsmen, while Paul Matthews (2/41 from 18 overs), Paul Cornelius (2/41 off 23.1 overs), as well as some excellent ground fielding, saw KilcundaBass through to the grand final.
Young allrounder Craig Lewis scored a defiant 51 and Neil Rankin a steady 28, but overall it was the Marygoons’ worst batting performance for the season in what was their most important game.
Nyora on top
In the other Bgrade semi final at Upper Beaconsfield Nyora also compiled 180.
Three members of the visiting team in Brendon Hackett, Nathan Smith and Adam Tagliferro all totalled 30, but no Nyora batsman continued on to record a damaging score.
Maroons’ skipper Scott Pitcher produced a probing spell of spin bowling to snare 4/45 from 21 overs, Marcus Gehling collected 3/39 off 17 overs and David Ardley contributed well in the field with his three catches.
Upper Beaconsfield appeared to hold the upper hand when play resumed next day.
However in another lowscoring semifinal, the Maroons capitulated for 135 on Sunday.
Former Pakenham UpperToomuc stalwart Glen Kilburn top scored with 48, but no player coped well with the magnificent bowling of Kevin Toogood who captured six matchwinning wickets.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:C GRADE
Minor premiers Lang Lang struggled to stay in the contest after the visiting Lyndhurst Vikings plundered a total of 6/213 on the opening day.
Three Vikings recorded excellent halfcenturies, with the experienced pair of Kelly Shiels and Michael Chapman contributing undefeated score of 66 and 53 respectively. Chris Hasselberger scored 53.
The Swamp Tigers’ most effective bowlers were youngsters Sam Jenkins (3/30 from nine overs) and Kurt Nestor (2/35 off 14 overs).
On Sunday the Vikings’ large total was too formidable and Lang Lang fell short by 52 runs after being dismissed for 161.
Captaincoach Cameron Chasemore scored a valuable 49, but lacked the support to challenge the Vikings’ attack. Aaron Straughair was the dominant bowler for the visitors taking 5/25 from 11 overs, while Paul Gray collected 2/28 off 12 overs.
Beacy bats best
The Beaconsfield Cgrade team scored a solid 211 on Saturday with Ross Mitchell (68) and Andrew Mercier (36) being the main scorers, while Brett Hobson bowled well for Kooweerup, taking 5/54 from 19.2 overs.
On Sunday the Demons performed disappointingly, being dismissed for 110.
Brendan Einert, who snared 4/17 from ten overs, was the Tigers’ main wicket taker and Jamie Ingham (2/31 from 17 overs) bowled well.
Hobson completed a good allround match by scoring 28 for the Demons and the Tigers’ agile wicketkeeper Mick McMahon grasped three catches.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:D GRADE
Merinda Park started its semifinal against Nar Nar GoonMaryknoll in convincing fashion by totalling 225.
Mark Elliott, Mark Dipilla and John Cuthbertson all scored valuable halfcenturies, while the Marygoons’ best bowler was veteran Col Hodson who collected 3/29 from 17 overs, despite his teammates dropping seven catches on the day.
The Marygoons collapsed for 129 on Sunday with Hodson’s defiant hand of 66 being their only batting highlight. Grant Pearson, (3/21 off 12 overs), again bowled with venom for the winning Cobras.
PUT power
Pakenham UpperToomuc (PUT) also batted its way into a dominant position by scoring 235 against Beaconsfield.
An excellent innings of 92 from Yabbies’ opener Craig Spicer highlighted Saturday’s play, while Luke Gunton compiled a useful 38.
Tiger cub Jayden Mack toiled hard to take 3/73 from 24 overs, while the experienced Rob Young snared 3/26 from 14.3 overs.
The Tigers fell short by 94 runs next day after being dismissed for 141.
Tristan Kerr top scored with 32, while Adrian Garvey and Frank Scartuchio both took three wickets for the victorious Yabbies.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:E GRADE
Cardinia held the upper hand after day one in semifinal clash with Pakenham UpperToomuc.
The Yabbies registered the moderate total of 135 with D. Clarke top scoring with 42, while C. Arthur reached 31.
Bulls bowler Brad Snooks was the leading wickettaker with 3/21 from nine overs, while Matt Masin snared 2/20 from 12.3 overs.
Cardinia was nicely placed on 0/16 when play ended on the Saturday.
The Bulls stampeded to an easy win next day, losing only three wickets when it compiled 3/137. Seasoned opener Jeff Bailey scored 57, while Glenn remained 37 not out.
Gembrook shines
Honours were shared at the end of the opening day of the other E grade clash between Tooradin and Gembrook.
The Brookers recorded the useful tally of 139, while the Seagulls were faltered in their flight to victory when they dropped to 2/28 in the last 11 overs of the day.
Marty Williams top scored for Gembrook with 39, while Brad Richmond (4/30 from 15.2 overs) and Aaron Brooks (4/54 off 17 overs) were Tooradin’s main wicket takers.
On Sunday the Seagulls plummeted further and were chopped down in flight for the lowly total of 86.
Adrian Brown was top scorer with 28, but the star of the game was Brookers’ bowler Jeremy Everitt who captured the outstanding figures of 7/41 from 19 overs.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:F GRADE
Clyde won an exciting semifinal against KilcundaBass by four runs.
The Cougar’s big hitter Darren Tanner smashed nine fours and a six in his tally of 53 notout, while Ray Slade scored an undefeated 47 for KilcundaBass.
The Emerald Bombers blasted their way into the Fgrade grand final when they comfortably accounted for Merinda Park by 93 runs.
Both Geoff Worrell and Gary Santini reached retirement scores of 50 and the victor’s Kevin Stapleton later bowled superbly to capture 3/4 from six overs.
