By David Nagel
PART two of Upper Beaconsfield’s mid-season exam takes place at Kooweerup this Saturday with the Maroons hoping for an improvement on its D-plus performance against Cardinia last week.
Captain Scott Pitcher and his team were well in commission at the lunch time break but an all too familiar batting collapse against the upper echelon provided more questions than answers.
The Maroons will need to study up big time this week or they’ll receive another education from the Demons who are currently dux of the competition.
The Demons don’t have a weakness, its batting is led by Chris O’Hara and Michael Giles but if they fail there’s an array of quality all-rounders ready to fill the void. Skipper Travis Canavan, Matt Davey and Shane Dole could all get a game as either a batsman or bowler such is their proficiency at both forms of the game.
Canavan has many options at his disposal with the ball. John Bright stepped up last week with three middle order wickets but it could be any one of eight bowlers who take home honours this week.
Despite a dismal performance last week the Maroons top order can’t be written off, they’ve been too good for too long, Shawn Flegler, Daniel Brennan and John Simpson are all quality performers but the lack of support in the mid-order is an obvious concern. The Maroons lost four wickets for 0 runs the last time these two teams met.
The Demons will get the elephant stamp this week.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:PUT V CARDINIA
PAKENHAM Upper-Toomuc’s bowlers will have sleepless nights this week as they prepare to host second placed Cardinia on Saturday.
The sight of Bulls’ opener Neil Barfuss walking to the crease will bring back horrifying memories for the Yabbies after he bludgeoned a double century in their round five clash. In fact the Yabbies’ batsmen might wake up in a cold sweat as well with Bulls’ spinner Dwayne Doig taking 5/13 from 17 overs in that same match.
On that occasion the Bulls came out 256-runs to the good and on recent form it’s hard to see the result changing too much this week.
Cardinia’s batting hasn’t been great in recent times but it’s taken the art of tight bowling to new levels this season. Barfuss, Doig, Craig Boswell and Dean Henwood hate giving things away and had to be pushed to hand over Christmas presents. The Bulls have given away a miserly 1003 runs in eight games at an average of a tick over 125.
The Yabbies slumped to 8/53 against Tooradin last week and only some good lower order hitting from Luke Gunton and Lucas Plozza saved embarrassment. If that form continues and bottom placed Officer can sneak a victory then the Yabbies could find itself in a last round relegation match with the Bullants.
To be competitive this week the Yabbies need Chris Smith to shine with bat and ball and skipper Darren Warne to capitalise on his recent run of starts.
Barfuss is coming off a rare failure in an ominous sign for the Yabbies.
Cardinia easily.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:OFFICER V BEACONSFIELD
BEACONSFIELD came agonisingly close to pulling off a major upset against ladder leader Kooweerup last week and will make the short journey to Officer this week chock full of confidence.
The Tigers continue to get involved in high scoring contests this season and last week was no exception, falling just six runs short of the Demons’ 9/222. Once again there was a balanced contribution all the way down the list.
Jordy Andrews led the way with a fine half century with Jason Dodd and Jesse Douma providing the lower order grunt. It’s that depth that will trouble the Bullants this week.
Officer was competitive with the bat against Pakenham but got slaughtered with the ball, conceding 153 runs in just 19.3 overs. Ollie Brown’s stellar season continued with a half century while Peter Quinn has stood up in the absence of Brett Reid to offer solid support.
At the threat of sounding like a broken record it’s Brown who once again carries the Bullants hopes. 361 runs at an average of 40.11 is a season that normally results in team success but with little back-up that’s definitely not the case with the Bullants.
Beacy’s bowling needs a spark and the early removal of Brown this week could provide an opportunity for Dodd, Andrews and Mat O’Connor to get amongst the wickets.
The Tigers last visit to the Officer Recreational Reserve ended in premiership glory and while this week’s prize is not nearly as big it will once again walk away with a smile on its face.
