By JARROD POTTER
WGCA DISTRICT DIVISION
REVIEW – ROUND 13 (day 2)
THE musical chairs at the top of District Division continued to be shuffled as Clyde took the top spot after knocking off Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll, while Lyndhurst Vikings slipped-up against Cranbourne Meadows.
PAKENHAM UPPER/TOOMUC v DEVON MEADOWS
ITS BEST win of the season sadly came a little late to matter as Devon Meadows (6/173) showed its true capabilities with a triumph over Pakenham Upper/Toomuc (155).
On the back of Adam Newstead’s Herculean 6/42, the next of the Panthers brigade to step up and put their best performance in the book was Steve Robinson (75). Relishing his reappointment to the 1st XI, Robinson held down the fort alongside skipper Lucas Carroll (38 not out) to give the Yabbies something to worry about. The duo pushed through for an 85-run stand to all but take the points before Robinson hit out to Nick Kyval (2/17).
Throwing the ball to literally anyone with two arms and a pulse, Yabbies skipper Scott Clark gave his entire line-up a roll over to find that wicket, but to no avail as the Panthers pushed through to secure its fourth win of the season.
“It was a really good team performance,” Panthers president Mick Floyd said.
“Newstead bowled really well last week – the whole bowling group did their bit.
“To hold a team like Pakenham Upper to 155 was a really pleasing effort.
“That game showed what we’re capable of, it’s just a shame we haven’t been able to string it together throughout the season.
“Our problems with the stick have been well known this season but full credit to the guys this match.
“It was tough going last week with their guys hitting really good spots, but Robbo and Carson knuckled down and really set up the win.”
Devon Meadows caps off its season against Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll this round while the Yabbies must beat Officer to safely secure its spot in the finals. With a loss they’ll be relying on St Francis Xavier defeating Cranbourne Meadows to make the big dance.
CRANBOURNE MEADOWS v LYNDHURST VIKINGS
KEEPING their finals’ chances alive, Cranbourne Meadows (8/311) successfully defended a monster tally, but not without a shock from the Lyndhurst (299) lower order.
After Ammar Bajwa (62) got the side off to a good start, the Vikings’ ship started to sink as Lyndhurst fell to 6/140 on the back of a middle-order wicket spree from Jason Poole (2/21) and Shane Murdoch (2/20). It left David Spencer (87) stranded in the middle without much support, until Heath Straughair (51) took guard and almost stole the show from the Rebels. Straughair, who’s most memorable moment this year was burning half the skin off his hand with a hot frying pan, put those memories to bed and replaced them with a rear-guard half-ton to stick by Spencer’s side.
Straughair fought back against the Rebels – knocking in his first District 50 – as the duo put the home side on the backfoot. Their 134-run stand almost took the points away from the Rebels, but Tom Smith (1/17) broke the partnership as he found Straughair trapped in front as overs started to dwindle. Spencer would fall soon after chasing the quick runs – as he piled on seven boundaries and three sixes – but with his dismissal, so went any chance of Lyndhurst victory.
It sets up a captivating first versus second battle for top of the ladder between Lyndhurst and Clyde while Cranbourne Meadows needs to win against St Francis Xavier or at least barrack hard for Pakenham Upper/Toomuc.
OFFICER v ST FRANCIS XAVIER
OFFICER did what was needed to claim the points against St Francis Xavier (109), despite a new-found resolute defence from the X-Men. While the result isn’t glaringly positive for the X-Men, they managed to fight it out for 52 overs – with Noel Betreen (41 not out) the sole survivor and main contributor for the visitors.
Adam Reid (6/29) had a field day in his first five-wicket haul for the season as he carried on from a four-wicket bag last week against Clyde. Soaking up the last six overs of the day for batting practice, Prince Singh (8 not out) and Brett Reid (10) did most of the work as two wickets fell.
Officer must beat Pakenham Upper/Toomuc to book its place in the finals while St Francis Xavier is left to finish off the year – and its time in District Division – against Cranbourne Meadows this round.
CLYDE v NAR NAR GOON/MARYKNOLL
TOP of the pops was claimed by Clyde (136) with a resolute triumph over the steadily stumping Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll (63 and 4/92). A meagre tally looked monumental as the Cougars roared through the Marygoons’ lineup. Kyle Brooke (3/11) and Pat Lawson (3/19) made the most of the hometown advantage to skittle the opposition in 31 overs before Brooke turned the Marygoons back to the crease for take two of the follow-on innings.
The second knock fared much better for the visitors, batting out the remaining 54 overs without many casualties as Brooke (3/16) earned six for the day. He would throw the ball around to get the rest of the attack some overs ahead of their throne-defining clash against Lyndhurst this weekend. Win and the minor premiership is their own. Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll’s year comes to an end this round against Devon Meadows.
