Above: Cardinia’s Mark Weeding made a crucial break-through for the Bulls when he removed Kooweerup danger-man Michael Giles early in Saturday’s contest. Weeding will be looking to round-up a few Beaconsfield batsmen in this week’s home clash against the Tigers.76706 Picture: Stewart Chambers
By David Nagel
THREE finals spots have been decided in West Gippsland Premier cricket with the two contenders for fourth spot, Pakenham and Upper Beaconsfield, clashing in this week’s round 13 match of the round at Pakenham.
With only two rounds remaining it’s the Lions who lead the race for fourth place with a substantial 16 point gap over the Maroons and a win by the home side clinches the finals deal. But if the Maroons knock-off the Lions they probably start favourites for a March berth heading into round 14. That’s how important this match is.
Pakenham host top of the table Kooweerup in the last round while the Maroons host cross-town rivals, sixth placed Beaconsfield. Everyone except the Lion’s players and supporters will be hoping for a Maroons’ win this round to set up a drama filled final round.
Pakenham’s form in recent times has been spasmodic to say the least. Included in the Lions last five innings are scores of 85 against Cardinia, 206 against the competition’s most potent attack in Tooradin, 105 against Beaconsfield and a competition season-high 415 against Pakenham Upper-Toomuc last week.
So what’s the secret to the Lions batting line-up?
Dissecting those four innings it’s clear the Lions have trouble stopping the rot once it sets in. Against Cardinia Jason Williams responded best with 31 while against Beaconsfield Dom Paynter and Ben Miller got 20s. Those scores delay the inevitable but don’t push the Lions into a competitive situation when their backs are against the wall.
Last week the Lions were sensational, Williams’ century was as graceful and brilliant as any seen this season while Russell Lehman looked set for a long stay at the crease until being unluckily caught down the leg side. With only the longer form of the game remaining, Lehman’s workman-like approach could play a similar role to Chris O’Hara for Kooweerup and Mark Cooper for Cardinia where lengthy stays are more common than not.
Upper Beaconsfield is just as hard to read as the Lions.
After four consecutive losses the Maroons bounced back by crushing Officer outright, but with all due respects we’ll disregard that as a solid form-line. In those four previous losses only once were the Maroons totally outplayed, it was more of a case of forgetting how to get across the line but last week might have rectified that problem.
The Maroons look suited to the 80-over format with Shawn Flegler and skipper Scott Pitcher forming a fantastic spinning duo. The return of Chris Pentland has taken time to reap rewards but he hit his straps with the ball last round and has the quality to hold that form. Flegler is the key with the bat.
It’s not inconceivable that the former first class player could hit form over the next few weeks and guide the Maroons to places not many expect. Any signs of rust after his recent break were hard to spot when he toyed with Cardinia’s attack in the recent T20 semi-final.
This one’s hard to pick because although the Lions have a formidable record at Toomuc Reserve and they toyed with the Maroons in their round two clash, they’ve struggled to put two good performances together for quite some time now.
It’s time they did and they will against the Maroons and book a finals date in its first season of premier division cricket.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:CARDINIA V BEACONSFIELD
CARDINIA play host to Beaconsfield this week in a replay of last season’s grand final but this match bears very little resemblance to that heavyweight clash of almost a year ago.
The Bulls are still a powerhouse of the competition as it looks for its fourth consecutive appearance at the big dance while the Tigers season had the final nail driven into its coffin by Tooradin last week.
Both teams are coming off last round defeats but their performances were at opposite ends of the competitive scale. Cardinia matched motors with top-of-the-table Kooweerup in what could be a pre-curser to the last match of the season while Beaconsfield were skittled twice by the Seagulls in its outright defeat.
Despite not defending its crown the Tigers have unearthed and developed some real talent this season. Troy McDermott’s country week selection speaks volumes for his ability while the Andrews’ boys, Jordy and Madison, and young bowler Callan Tout have shown enough to suggest long careers await.
Cardinia’s biggest strength is also its biggest weakness. Kooweerup knew last week that if it could see off Dwayne Doig they were well on the way to victory. The Bulls’ secondary bowling options are steady but not penetrating and would-be skipper Mark Cooper’s biggest concern heading into the business end of the season.
The Bulls have plenty to play for and the Tigers have zilch so it’s the Bulls to get back on the winners list.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:KOOWEERUP V PUT
PAKENHAM Upper-Toomuc must be fearing the worst as it heads to Kooweerup this week battered and bruised after a last round thumping at the hands of Pakenham.
The Yabbies surrendered 415 runs against the Lions and with the Demons squadron looming large on the horizon it could be another long day chasing leather for the visitors.
Kooweerup were magnificent last week against Cardinia and ticked the only box missing, a significant run-chase, from an otherwise complete season.
Chris O’Hara and Chris Bright led the way against the Bulls with Matt Davey executing a clinical finish. Names like Canavan, Dole and Giles will be looking to fill their boots this week against an attack that has conceded 495 more runs than any other this season.
Luke Gunton’s spinners are developing nicely for the Yabbies and although he only has 11 wickets for the season his courage to constantly change his pace is a testament to his character. His 40 not out against the Lions shows he can handle the willow as well.
The last time these two sides met in round two the Yabbies successfully appealed to the league and had an unofficial nine-run victory to the Demons turned into a draw. Play went beyond the 6.30pm deadline on that occasion but confusion with the rule led to differing opinions from both camps.
It won’t get to that stage this time and the Demons will win easily.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:OFFICER V TOORADIN
ONE of the in-form teams in the competition, Tooradin, travel to Officer this week in what on paper and recent form looks a complete and utter mismatch.
The third placed Seagulls have earned a spot in March the hard way and can finally smell the roses after its outright demolition of Beaconsfield last week. Once again it was star all-rounder Callum O’Hare who led the way against the Tigers but this side has many more strings to its bow.
Brad Sauer and Jay Wilson are two of the cleanest hitters going around while Tom Hussey and O’Hare and are proven top-order performers. Despite its recent strong form the Seagulls still have plenty of room for improvement.
Consistent runs from Brenton Adams and skipper Aaron Avery over the next two rounds would top off a perfect finals preparation. Avery looked magnificent against Kooweerup in round 11 but slipped back to his season’s default setting against the Tigers. Lukas Hoogenboom has shown signs that a big bag is not far away and what better opportunity to do that than against the Bullants.
Officer showed little fight last week against an Upper Beaconsfield attack that shouldn’t be able to bowl sides out for 52. If it struggled with the medium pace of Pentland, Tyrrell and co, look out this week against the Seagulls.
This one will be stopped inside the distance.
