By DAVID NAGEL
WGCA LOWER GRADES
REVIEW – ROUND 5 (Day 1)
HUGE centuries, massive team scores, six-wicket hauls and an outright victory… it’s hard to expect anything more from an action packed day one of Round 5 in WGCA lower grade cricket.
The real action on Saturday took place in E and F Grade, where Pakenham’s Dave Hyland (142) joined Officer trio, Kyle Van Raay (130 not out), Callum Porter (111) and Lachlan Porter (101) in a scorching batting display that more than matched the hot weather.
Let’s start at the top though, where the top-four positions went up for grabs in B Grade.
B GRADE
MERINDA Park’s (0/10) bowling has been up there with the best and the Cobras continued that theme against Tooradin (184) at Rutter Park.
Sure, they ran into stiff opposition from Leigh Frankhauser (43), Jonathan Duff (36) and Shane Somers (33), but, when the battle got hot, the Cobras lifted like good teams do. From 4/151, the Seagulls lost 5/12, before some late hitting from skipper Daniel Quinn (16 not out) rescued the mission.
Dale Cunliffe (4/22) was repelled early, but stuck to his guns to make it nine wickets in his last two games with some late victims.
Beaconsfield (164) will have to bowl its socks off next week if it wants to keep third place on the ladder after a late-afternoon capitulation against Devon Meadows (0/22).
The Tiges lost their last seven poles for just 23 runs to waste the early efforts of Geoff Bliss (39) and Wayne Hocking (43). Josh Beets (5/38) changed the complexion of the match, while Luke Howard (2/1) and Nathan Worsteling (2/34) made short work of the tail.
Kooweerup (177) will fancy its chances of remaining the trend setter in B Grade after its lower order saved the day against Gembrook (1/9).
The Demons were on track for a good score, with veteran Steve Johnson (39) and Wes Wright (60) looking secure at 3/101, before a collapse of 5/17 gave the Brookers the edge. Wright was responsible for a tail that wagged, sharing 23 and 26-run stands before being the last wicket to fall.
Josh Newman (4/29) and Steve McRae (3/29) bowled superbly for the Brookers… who lost McRae (0) as their run-chase began.
Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll (0/12) needs a win to remain relevant as a finals’ contender, and it’s off to a good start after rolling Upper Beaconsfield (180) for a gettable score.
The Maroons had four major contributors, with Peter Brennan (53), Chad McDonald (37), Steve Vincent (25) and Andy Haythorpe (22) threatening, but the Goon had the answers. Shaun Ager (4/46) and Josh Hodson (3/25) will be hoping their batsmen show as much commitment as they did when play resumes this Saturday.
C GRADE
MUSCLES were flexed at Starling Road on Saturday as the top-two sides, Officer (205) and Merinda Park, squared off for what turned out to be an intriguing arm wrestle.
This one had exactly what you’d expect from two quality sides, including batting depth from the Bullants that was fully tested against the most potent attack in the grade.
Nic Simpson (29) and Tom Marks (25) at the top, Ben Monagle (35) and Pete Symons (23) through the middle, and some great finishing from Daniel Irvine (41 not out) were the keys to the Bullants push beyond 200.
Scott Kunziak (2/39) and Josh Colomer (2/13), just like their Cobra team mates, were made to work hard for their wickets.
Lyndhurst Vikings (9/349cc) captain Brendan McCarthy (95) fell agonisingly short of a well-deserved century as his side plundered Cranbourne Meadows at Lawson Poole Reserve.
A contest that turned ugly early, as McCarthy and Phil Retallick (72) rattled on 162 runs for the fifth wicket. McCarthy hit 12 fours and two sixes and then watched on as Retallick and Paul Gray (54 not out) completed the mugging.
Kaine Bundy (2/43), Adrian Savage (2/26) and the expensive but effective Mick Dillon (3/43 off 6) would have slept well on Saturday night.
Pakenham (239) has second place firmly in its sights after a good day at the office against Tooradin at Toomuc Reserve.
Anything looked possible for the Lions as Nic Close (67) and Dene North (35) opened with a century stand, before the Seagulls fought back. Craig Spicer (2/51) bowled with great effect, claiming North and Close, before handing over the baton to Dale Bethune (6/75). Bethune had his hands full -particularly with Matt Singleton (47) and Steve Insall (36) who put on 83 for the sixth wicket- but knocked over six of the last seven wickets to clearly take bowling honours.
Pakenham Upper/Toomuc (203) looks well placed to keep a spot in the top four after Adam Mitchell (61) and Evan Wright (51) made half centuries against Cardinia (1/25).
Michael Roach (3/26), Ray Perkins (2/33) and Lachy Harris (2/71) battled hard for the Bulls, who will need to apply themselves, having got nowhere near 200 in their first four games for the season. Yabbies’ opener Blake McGrath (1/15) claimed the key wicket of Brad Remy (20) as stumps drew near.
D GRADE
EMERALD (0/2) will need to be every bit as good as its number-one ranking suggests after Officer (261) took the upper hand at Worrell Reserve.
A five-wicket haul to Derek Scott (5/30) wasn’t enough to stop the Bullants from marching on to an imposing score, with Sachin Katarey (70) and Shawn Davitt (28) taking control at the top, before Luke Johnson (33) and Matt Lucas (17) iced the cake with some lower-order hitting.
Brilliant bowling from Jack Hazendonk (5/36) has Clyde (1/21) well positioned in its top-four match-up against Catani (150).
Ron Kane (3/24) was damaging early, before Hazendonk waltzed through the Blues’ mid-to-lower order. Veteran Brad ‘Snags’ McDonald (36) was in good touch for the Blues, as was Chris Banbury (47 not out), who remained unbeaten despite coming in early at number three.
No star performers… just good solid cricket… that sums up day one of the clash between Merinda Park (1/21) and Pakenham Upper/Toomuc (165) at Lyndhurst Secondary College.
Trev Lewtas (2/48) and Tony Clarke (2/18) took the early initiative for the Cobras, having the Yabbies 5/50 at one stage, before Marty Tunstall (31) and Jonathon Rewell (37) led a revival. Bo Hellman (2/19) also claimed two for the Cobras who will be hoping skipper Brett Armitage (11 not out) can continue his recent good form.
Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll (1/17) has its first victory in its sights after restricting SFX Old Collegians (168) at the College.
Bryan Woodley (4/27), Simon Rogers (3/31) and Jason Campbell (2/47) toiled hard for the Goon, while late hitting from Josh Kerrigan (33) and Ross Baker (21) evened things up towards the end of the day.
E GRADE
PAKENHAM (4/256cc) opener Dave Hyland (142) has set a new benchmark for West Gippsland cricket, hitting the highest score for the season in the Lions’ powerful display against Kooweerup.
Hyland’s climb into rarefied air included 24 boundaries and one rope clearer, as he shared a mammoth 183-run opening stand with Brandon Interlandi (30). Dave Nobels (21) and the returning Mark ‘Mulga’ Shelton (39 not out) took over from where Hyland left off late in the day.
Top-team Officer (249) is also in a commanding position after 19-year-old Lachlan Porter (101) fired in his first career ton against Beaconsfield at Starling Road.
Batting at number four, Porter built his innings superbly, well supported by Ryan Harris (28), Bevan Tukerangi (24) and Josh Stirling (22), who all contributed to the Bullants’ mighty score.
Dave Green (4/44) and Russell Vincent (2/37) were the pick of the Tigers.
Devon Meadows (6/95dec and 0/24) needed just 56 overs to earn outright points – and a week off – after steamrolling a decimated Nyora (51 and 67) at Junction Village.
Lincoln Hepburn (4/25) and Paul Borg (3/24) opened the wound, Luke Daniels (23) rubbed the salt in, before Dean Lewis (3/1) and Daniels (2/14) stitched things up in near record time.
Ben Campbell (3/23), Trevor May (2/43) and Josh Vella (28) were the only Maroons worthy of note.
Election fever must be in the air as Gembrook (4/199dec) skipper Alan Cook made a bold declaration of his own against Lang Lang (0/3).
Cook pulled the pin after just 58 overs of batting after James Hulbert (74), Dean McPherson (44) and Jai Wardale (27 not out) set the foundation for a big score. David Clay (3/20) claimed three wickets for the Swampies who then survived a tricky session before stumps.
F GRADE
TWO 15-year-old stars of the future, Kyle Van Raay (130 not out) and Callum Porter (111), were simply stunning as Officer (1/286dec) demolished Pakenham Upper/Toomuc (35) at Syme Road.
The rising talents simply toyed with the Yabbies’ attack, compiling a sensational 271-run opening stand that ran at a tick over six runs per over.
Van Raay may have stolen the show, but Porter’s innings, with dad Geoff watching on, completed the perfect day for the family after brother Lachlan also made a ton in E Grade.
Rick Marshall (6/14) and Dean Perrow (4/19) then wrapped up first innings points for the Bullants in just 21.2 overs.
Top-team Pakenham will have its credentials tested this week after Lyndhurst Vikings (240) had the better of day one at Singleton Reserve.
Martin Davies (58), Jason George (42), Don Francis (39) and Mike Chapman (36) made the Lions work hard in the heat… a challenge Ash Zinnow (5/41) and left-hander Les Jones (3/35) seemed to relish.
Merinda Park (236) will be searching for outright points after a great finish to the day against Tooradin (5/18). Cobras’ John Cuthbertson (62) and Russell Jenkin (38) had a terrific battle with Curtis Barker (3/107) and co, before Cuthbertson (3/1) and Jenkin (2/11) cut a swathe through the Seagulls’ top order.
Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll has the bye.
G GRADE
TOP versus bottom – it sounded easy for Catani who copped a surprising pounding from Merinda Park (319) at Donnelly Reserve.
Dale Hewitson (94) was masterful, and with support from Nicholas (62) and Josh Phillips (43), he pushed the score way beyond the 300-run barrier. Thomas Cairns (3/50) was best for the Blues.
Emerald (6/125) needs just one more boundary to defeat Pakenham (128) after Nick Jansen (3/24), Dale Street (3/38), Warrick Marsh (2/6) and Paul Reilly (27) took control of day one at Toomuc Reserve.
Meanwhile, Clyde (231) is in the driver’s seat after Gareth Tucker (71), Roman Maus (49) and Mick King (37) had the better of Lyndhurst Vikings at Hillcrest.
Drew Leeds (3/12), Andy Kerford (3/45) and Rob Collins (2/37) were tough in the heat for the Vikings.
Cranbourne Meadows has the bye.
