By Jarrod Potter
SATURDAY was a batting paradise for West Gippsland’s other grades, with five men striking centuries, a ton more hitting 50s and the bowlers praying for some shade as they toiled away in 35 degree heat.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:B GRADE
Knocking together a 188-run partnership, Kooweerup (291) top order batsmen S.Johnson (163) and B Wilson (71) ensured there would be no joy for Pakenham Upper-Toomuc. The Demons owe their salvation to Johnson and Wilson, with the rest of the order bundled out for a measly 43. The Johnson-Wilson partnership was busted up by Casey Thomsen (2/25), the seventh change bowler for PUT, who struggled to find any answers to counteract the opener and first drop batting pair. Wilson knocked one back to Thomsen before Daniel Pirotta (17) chipped in with a 47-run stand aside Johnson until the duo both succumbed with Kooweerup stranded on 266. The avalanche of wickets flowed rapidly after that, as the Demons went from 3/266 to all out for 291 in short time. Stephen Bolton (2/8), Thomsen, Ben Jarred (2/60) and Andrew Hilder (2/64) shared the wickets around.
Andrew Morris (95) tore shreds out of Devon Meadows (1/19) with Emerald (9/205dec) not lying down without a fight in the dead rubber. Out of finals contention, the Bombers hit strongly against the Panthers’ lineup with Morris holding the innings together. In at fifth, Morris guided the lower order and tail, struggling to find any help before James Burke (26) stood strong to add 63 for the ninth wicket. Morris had his pegs rearranged five runs short of 100 and the Bombers declared soon after. James Howard (4/72) and Josh Walker (3/43) burdened the wicket taking responsibilities. In response, Devon Meadows lost a wicket to Tristan Fraser (1/7).
A captain’s century from Brayden McHugh (100) led last placed Officer (221) to upset the apple cart against finalist Pakenham (0/13). McHugh hit his first century in WGCA as Bullants fell around him. Cameo innings from Geoff Porter (26), Nick Long (24) and Glenn Longmuir (20) pushed the total into triple figures. Pakenham bowler Dale McCraw (5/56) toiled for 17.4 overs to keep the Lions in the hunt. Zac Chaplin (2/23) was the other multiple wicket taker.
Merinda Park (153) lost their way through their middle order, relying heavily on Dylan Cuthbertson (44) and Scott Kunziak (36) to post a reasonable total against Beaconsfield (0/35). The first versus second encounter was dominated on the first weekend by the Tigers, which knocked off the remnants of the Cobras’ order in short time. Merinda Park lost seven wickets for 80 as it lost all the momentum Cuthbertson and Craig Robertson (19) created at the start of the innings. Kunziak added respectability to the final total, making 49 for the ninth wicket with Grant Pearson (14). Rhys Miller (3/24), Ben Martin (2/32) and Jarrod Williams (2/50) were the Tigers’ chief weapons. Beaconsfield saw off the last 20 overs without any worry and will resume 133 runs in arrears to take first innings points.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:C GRADE
Catani (7/456dec) piled on the pain against Cranbourne Meadows with Dave Speirings (125), Chris Duncan (101), Clint Fulton (82) and Jamie Evans (51 not out) romping home the point. Nothing went right for the Rebels as the Blues smashed their runs at a whopping rate of 6.7 runs per over. The opening partnership of Duncan and Chris Banbury (33) accrued 108 and from there the fireworks continued as Speirings, Fulton and Evans arrived at the party. The carnage came to an end as Evans reached his half century and Bruce McFarlane called an end to the smash-fest. Chances are this inevitable loss will force the Rebels into last place and into relegation.
With the season over all bar the last hoorahs, Beaconsfield (8/303cc) batted with careless abandon to upset Cardinia’s likely finals preparations. Andrew Mercier (91) and Ross Mitchell (89) came close to a pair of centuries after posting 175 runs together. Kyle Wills (48) kept the theatrics going as the Tigers hit 300. Travis Wheller (3/100) picked up the only century of the match, but bowled well in spite of taking the bowler’s ton across his 22 overs.
Once again, Ian Mortimer (6/53) was forced to hold up Pakenham Upper-Toomuc on his own as the wiley bowler kept the Yabbies in the match against Clyde (245). Fifties to Daniel Waite (57), Ross Elston (53) and Keifer Peries (52) pushed the Cougars along before Mortimer struck.
Tooradin (164) didn’t cash in against Lyndhurst Vikings (1/4). Don Tasevski (4/20), Garry Godfrey (2/16) and Ammar Bajwa (2/25) were the best of the Vikings hoard. A Vikings outright victory and Cardinia loss would see the sides swap places, but otherwise the positions of the final four is the last variable up for grabs. (No Tooradin results available.)
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:D GRADE
Proving the gulf between the top brass and the never-rans is massive, Beaconsfield (8/147dec) forced Lang Lang (62) into a perilous position going into the second week. Matt McBride (5/17) has claimed 14 wickets in the last three matches as part of a great hot-streak. Beaconsfield started poorly in response, slumping to 5/40 before Craig Jennings (61), fresh off his 246 last round, and Michael McMahon (32) set up the fighting declaration to attempt outright victory this weekend.
St Francis Xavier (8/187cc) held out against Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll, but will need to go for an outright victory to make the finals. Will Bodsworth (57) anchored the innings for the X-Men. Jack Salan (3/27) was the best of the Marygoons’ attack.
Brian Knight (82), C.Leith (82 not out) and Peter Jensen (63) ensured Nyora (7/302cc) would finish the batting season with a bang against Upper Beaconsfield. (No Upper Beaconsfield results available.)
Merinda Park (141) was held together by John Cuthbertson (69) against Emerald (0/72) as the middle order batsman took all of the burden of scoring. Jake Rosen (5/48) and Derek Scott (4/19) were excellent with the ball for Emerald. In response, the Bombers had ticked off half the required runs without the loss of a wicket.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:E GRADE
In the battle for the spoon, Officer (200) held their nerve against Beaconsfield, but too many batsmen got starts without kicking on. From 5/80, the Bullants’ tail was resilient with a 22 run last wicket stand between Andrew Cock (19) and Russell Curruthers (16) potentially match defining. Beaconsfield will kick itself for not bowling better – conceding 44 extras with a whopping 29 wides. The Tigers used all the men at the bowling crease, with Brent Andrews (3/40) the most effective.
Harley Hulme (128 not out) got ready for finals in the best way possible, with the under-15s representative striking his first century in WGCA as Pakenham (7/322cc) put the screws to Clyde. Hulme batted the entire day as Clyde couldn’t find answers to stopping him. Jack Hazendonk (2/69) bowled well in his 18 overs and Ron Kane (2/41) was the other multiple wicket taker.
Emerald (133) couldn’t find second gear against Pakenham Upper-Toomuc (2/13), relying heavily on Prem Gill (42), Chris Alenson (27 not out) and Ryan Appleby (23) to salvage a reasonable score. In response, PUT lost both openers in the closing overs of the day. This match will be repeated the first week of the finals, first versus fourth, so any lessons learned from this game will be critical when the season is on the line for real in two weeks time.
Tooradin (4/264cc) punished Kooweerup, as the Seagulls belted the Demons all around Kooweerup High School. Peter Scicluna (2/68) stemmed the bleeding as much as possible from his 17 overs. (No Tooradin results available.)
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:F GRADE
Gembrook could only watch on as Devon Meadows (8/334cc) smashed them to all parts of Junction Village Reserve. In the first versus second clash, Devon Meadows showed the distance between the sides as Luke Daniels (73), Antony Scott (66) and Lincoln Hepburn (52 retired not out) led the charge. Jeremy Williams (2/47) was the solitary multiple wicket taker for the Brookers.
Clyde (113) buckled under pressure from Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll (2/32), as the sixth and seventh placed sides play for pride in their final match of the season. The Cougars couldn’t develop big enough partnerships, with the openers’ stand of 36 the best for the day with Daven Johnston (21) top scoring. Chris Mitchell (3/12) was miserly in his 11 overs. The Marygoons lost both openers in the final 16 overs of play.
The tail wagged hard for Merinda Park (9/190cc), with Jeffrey Gillespie (31) and Mat Harper (31) getting the job done down the order against Officer. Aaron Wood (2/15) and Matt Robinson (2/35) were the best of the Bullants’ bowling force.
Pakenham defeated Beaconsfield on forfeit.
