By KATELYN PINAL AND RUSSELL BENNETT
WGCA DISTRICT DIVISION
REVIEW – ROUND 5 (Day 1)
DEVON MEADOWS v OFFICER
WHATEVER the outcome of the Round 5 clash between Devon Meadows and Officer at Glover Recreation Reserve, it’s likely to be well and truly decided by tea this Saturday.
The Panthers won the toss and elected to bat first on their home deck but despite seven players reaching double figures, Darren O’Brien top-scored with just 36.
A series of ill-disciplined shots led to Devon Meadows being rolled for 149 inside 48 overs, but the side responded in the last session – restricting the Bullants to 6/97 at stumps.
“Their bowlers just wore our guys down and we weren’t patient enough,” said Panthers opening bowler and club president Mick Floyd of his team’s batting.
“It’s definitely not an ability thing, it’s just execution.”
Toyosi Solanke led the way for Officer with 3/18 from his eight overs, while Adam Reid and David Collins took two apiece.
But the Panthers’ attack rebounded superbly – taking six wickets and creating plenty more chances.
“We actually grassed six catches but they didn’t cost us much in the end,” Floyd said.
“We were able to get those guys out not long after.”
Floyd (2/27) and skipper Lucas Carroll (2/13) each claimed a couple of scalps, while all-rounder Matt Hutchinson bowled particularly well to finish day one with 1/21 off 10 overs.
The Panthers will go into this week with plenty of confidence, but Officer opener Adam Reid will still be at the crease – resuming on 28 – and they know there’s plenty of work still to be done. With reward for shots on a lightning fast outfield, the Bullants are still well and truly in with a sniff of victory.
NAR NAR GOON/MARYKNOLL v CRANBOURNE MEADOWS
CRANBOURNE Meadows (9/249) won the toss and elected to bat to kick off day one against Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll. The Rebels’ top four held strong, led by a Chris Hauselberger (51) half century. Each of the side’s top-five batsmen scored at least 25 but the Marygoons broke through to claim the final three wickets for just 26 runs. Josh Lownds (3/56) claimed a trio of much-needed scalps – including Mat Smith who made a valuable 32 in the lower order – while Brannon Harrison (2/56) and Sean Somers (2/33) also got amongst the wickets. Chasing 250 for victory, the Marygoons still have a huge task ahead of them on Saturday.
PAKENHAM UPPER/TOOMUC v LYNDHURST VIKINGS
THE Lyndhurst Vikings (2/59) are well and truly in prime position and have to be feeling confident heading into day two against Pakenham Upper/Toomuc (125). The Vikings skittled the Yabbies in 50 overs on the first day’s play at Barry Simon Rec Reserve with opener Ben Clough (30) and Nick Kyval (26) the only two to reach 20 as the wickets tumbled around them. Vikings Skipper Jesse Fitzgerald (3/9) was outstanding in his five overs, while Ammar Bajwa (3/41, 19) also caused the Yabbies real headaches. The Vikings then took to the crease and were rattled by the early loss of Lesley Howell (who made 90 in Round 4), but they recovered with a 46-run stand between Bajwa and Mark Henry (28 not out). Lyndhurst will resume this week needing only 67 for victory and still with eight wickets in hand.
CLYDE v SFX OLD COLLEGIANS
A SOLID 62-run opening partnership from skipper Chris Shepherdson (41) and Brendan Hunt (23, 1/7) set the X-Men’s first dig (174) off on the right foot against Clyde (2/62).
But Kane Avard (4/35) removed both en route to an excellent four-wicket haul in his first game back in the District side since Round 1.
Star all-rounder John Simpson also chipped in with 2/24 – including the important scalp of Will Bodsworth for 28 – as the Cougars restricted the X-Men to a much more modest total than they seemed like reaching earlier in the innings.
Dismissing the visitors in just 54 overs, Clyde then had a tricky 23 overs to face before stumps on day one. Shane Webster looked in good touch for his 39 but he and opening partner Stuart Williams (2) both fell before the close of play. The Cougars will resume on 2/62 this week.
