B’wick cricket (club cnr)

RESUMING at 0/13 in reply to Keysborough’s 204, Berwick was ticking along steadily until Rowan Purkiss fell for six and left it 1/24, with Keysborough fighting desperately to stave off relegation and the Bears in cruise mode with their finals position all but assured. The fall of Gavan Wills for 21 started a cascade of wickets that left Berwick’s top order in tatters as it slumped to 5/64 and then 6/71. Brad Francis was the sole contributor without a resolute 40 but when he was dismissed Berwick was in desperate trouble at 7/92. Some real grit came in the shape of a 49-[run stand from Matt Crosby and Jarrod Goodes with a flurry of boundaries from Goodes, including a pair of sixes, before he fell for 34. Crosby soldiered on, facing 94 balls, and held the Keysborough attack at bay before he became the final victim for a fighting 35 and the Bears conceded defeat to continue their poor form since Christmas. Keyborough returned to the crease for nine uneventful overs and 0/20 before stumps were drawn. Berwick held on to fourth spot and comes up against familiar foes in Buckley Ridges at Park Oval in a do-or-die semi-final.
TURF THREE
There was a thrilling finish to this must-win game for both sides with Hallam chasing 163 for victory. Berwick got the ball rolling in their direction with two early wickets shared between opening pair Brett Davis and Carl Sutton. Sutton and Davis shared the bulk of the bowling duties with young English understudy Phil Allen suffering a game-ending back injury. Davis captured regular wickets on his way to 3/61 off 32 overs, including four maidens, and Sutton was at his accurate best with 5/41 off 26 with five maidens. Damien Quinlan took 1/38 and two catches that were matched by Michael Dalzotto and Jarryd Williamson to keep Berwick in the game. From 5/45 Hallam rebounded to 6/100 but Berwick were still looking the goods when it struck for the ninth time with Hallam still requiring 22 with 10 overs remaining. It went down to the wire with several chances missed by the Bears. Hallam eventually stumbled across the finish line slightly in front and the prized finals position theirs.
A GRADE
A see-saw battle continued after Springvale South got itself out of trouble last week to post a competitive 168, with Berwick this week taking a dive to 6/63. Sam Curtis’s 34 was the only top-order score of note and it took some guts and determination, combined with plenty of composure from youngster Ben Holland with 38 at the bottom of the list to give Berwick a fleeting chance. Pete Haxell (15) provided good support but the Bears fell away late to be dismissed 30 runs short. It was a late blip in an otherwise brilliant season for the third XI, who slip to second spot and take on Buckley Ridges on home soil at Edwin Flack this weekend.
B GRADE
Tackling Maranatha’s 214 Berwick had no trouble despite an early slump that saw them at 3/11. Geoff Wilcock and Fraser Hopgood paired for a cracking 138-run game-winning stand, Wilcock’s brilliant 87 including 14 fours and Hopgood smashing seven of his own on his way to a unconquered 79. Mitch Pugh knocked up 27 at the end of the day to get Berwick across the line, a great way to finish off a promising season, narrowly missing the finals with a young side that has gained some valuable experience.
E GRADE
With a win secured, Berwick took the opportunity to declare its innings overnight with a lead of 99. The bowling duties and spoils were shared with Nathan Workman, Hemath Ananta and Grant Robinson all claiming one but it was the unlikely pair of Ray Henry (12-4-3-36) and Tom Goodes (14-8-4-26) who did the damage as Berwick knocked off Coomoora for a second time for 181. Three early wickets cost the Bears in their pursuit of quick runs with 83 runs required off 13 overs but they recovered thanks to 32 from Craig Bellville, his son Hayden (14) and Nathan Workman who was run out for 16 as the Bears fell short by just two runs. They hold on to fourth spot and tackle Southern Pirates in a semi-final at Wachter Reserve.
ONE DAY
Berwick took on top-of-the-ladder Endeavour Hills in the season finale and conceded 179 runs with 2/29 from Andy Young off seven the best for the Bears and his son Jayden taking two catches with the gloves. In response Berwick was behind the pace the Youngs again stand-outs with 33 not out and 16 respectively while Jory Wilkinson was impressive at the bottom of the list with 18 n.o. as Berwick finished at 8/96.
SEMI FINALS
The games are on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 March with Monday 14 March the spare day:
TURF 1: Buckley Ridges v Berwick Park, Pultney St, Dandenong.
A GRADE: Berwick v Buckley Ridges, Edwin Flack, Manuka Rd, Berwick.
E GRADE: Southern Pirates v Berwick, Wachter 2, Bloomfield Rd, Keysborough.
Under-17/3: Doveton v Berwick, Reid, Oak Avenue, Eumemmerring.
Under-15/2: Parkfield v Berwick, Edwin Flack, Manuka Rd, Berwick.
Under-13/1: Berwick v Springvale South, Wachter 2, Bloomfield Rd, Keysborough.
Under-13/2: Berwick v Hampton Park, Berwick Springs 2, Berwick Springs Promenade, Narre Warren South.
CLUB NOTES
Senior and masters presentation night: Berwick Bowling Club, Saturday 9 April.
Under-17s presentation night: Arch Brown Reserve, Friday 25 March.
Under-15s and 13s presentation afternoon: Arch Brown Reserve, Sunday 27 March.
Under-11s presentation night: Arch Brown Reserve, Friday 11 March.