By Hayley Wildes
WGCA LOWER GRADES REVIEW – ROUND 14 (DAY TWO)
B GRADE
Merinda Park wrapped up top spot as their bowlers followed up a strong batting performance against Pakenham. Finishing at 8/246 after 70 overs last week, Merinda Park’s bowlers were consistent all day as Pakenham struggled to get their run rate going.
Troy Wilson (40) top scored for the Lions, whilst Josh Phillips (3/42) ripped apart Pakenham’s top order, claiming the first three wickets of the innings.
Merinda Park claimed the points as they held Pakenham to 7/175.
Kooweerup’s bowlers stood up against Devon Meadows. With just 151 to defend, the Demons bowlers got to work straight away – claiming early wickets to have the Panthers at 3/38.
A partnership between David Carson (32) and Michael Floyd (21) showed some promise, but after Floyd was dismissed a batting collapse occurred.
The Panthers faltered, losing their final seven wickets for just 38 runs – bowled out for just 116.
Ayden Mills (4/32), John Bright (3/22) and Matthew Davey (3/27) were all impressive for the Demons.
Despite missing the finals, Emerald finished their season on a high against the third placed Carlisle Park.
After posting 199 in their first innings, Emerald’s bowlers – led by Lachlan Crnogorac (3/32) – were resilient all day as they consistently disrupted potentially promising partnerships.
Vikings opener, Lesley Howell (61) tried desperately to keep his team in it, but with six batsmen unable to score over five runs, there just wasn’t enough support. The Vikings were bowled out for 170.
Officer will head into the finals with plenty of momentum after claiming fourth spot. Taking on the bottom placed Upper Beaconsfield, and defending a total of 250, the Bullants were in total control all day.
A devastating six over spell from Brent Pullen saw him take 3/9 after Sean Hinkley (3/35) took care of the top order as the Maroons were dismissed for 139.
In the first week of the finals, Merinda Park will take on Officer at Donnelly Reserve, whilst Kooweerup and Carlisle Park will battle it out at Toomuc Reserve for spot in the Grand Final.
C GRADE
Clyde dismantled Pakenham Upper Toomuc in a ruthless outright win after enforcing the second innings follow-on.
After posting 8/269 last week, the Cougars dismissed the Yabbies for just 45 runs in their first innings. Kane Avard bowled just two overs, but was in devastating form, claiming three wicket for no runs. Kidman Johnstone’s nine over were brutal also, claiming 3/5.
Sent into bat again, Pakenham Upper Toomuc showed more resilience but were still no match for Clyde. Avard’s (3/22) impressive form continued, taking his game figures to 6/22.
Adam Tucker (60*) top scored for the Yabbies, but there just wasn’t enough help from those around him as the Yabbies were dismissed for 129.
Cranbourne Meadows head into the finals as the team to beat after finishing first.
The Rebels took charge of the game against the Bulls on day one and never let up in day two action.
Chasing 130, opener Munir Saqib (44) and Sami Muzaffar (64*) ensured the total was reached without trouble. The Rebels finished on 4/191.
Catani proved too strong for Officer as the Cats locked in second position.
Defending 253, the Cats got off to a perfect start as Riley McDonald (3/21) dismissed Bullants opener Matthew Lucas before he could trouble the scorers.
An 80-run partnership between Darcy Taylor (80) and Benjamin Monagle (20) steadied Officer but it wasn’t enough as the Bullants were all out for 211.
Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll chased down Lang Lang’s 132 total with ease.
Daniel Glen put on a batting masterclass for the Marygoons, smashing his way to 106, before retiring. Despite getting off to a strong start, Lang Lang’s bowlers were unable to keep the pressure on after having the Marygoons on the ropes at 3/27.
Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll finished on 7/216 after 62 overs.
In the first week of finals, Cranbourne Meadows will take on Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll at Lawson Poole Recreation Reserve, with Catani and Clyde facing off at Catani Recreation Reserve in the other final.
D GRADE
After day one concluded with Pakenham posting 50 runs in their first innings and Kooweerup responding with 126, day two kicked off with the Lions second innings.
Bailey Perry (5/7) and Jamey Blackwood (5/10) were simply irresistible for the Demons as they wreaked havoc in devastating spells. The Lions were bowled out for 99.
With the outright win well within reach, Demons’ openers Paul West (22*) and Nick Cameron (16*) scored the required runs as Kooweerup got the resounding win.
Merinda Park bullied their way to a huge win over Tooradin at Warneet Reserve. Having smashed a 353 first innings total on day one, Merinda Park once again had all the answers on day two.
Russell Jenkin provided plenty for the Cobras, taking 4/31. With a dismal total looming – sitting at 9/62 – a final wicket partnership of 71 between Brendan Hunt (42*) and Mathew Finch (29) pushed the total to a somewhat respectable total of 133.
Merinda Park elected against enforcing the follow-on, instead taking the opportunity to get some more batting in before finals kick off. Their second innings yielded 2/105, with Rodney Morrison (52*) showing his class.
Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll will head into finals lacking momentum after a SFX Old Collegians masterclass was too much for the Marygoons.
Mansoor Ahmad (192) dominated with the bat on day one, and he was prominent on day two with the ball. Ahmad (4/38) was brilliant in a match-winning effort that ensured the X Men finished their season on a high despite missing the finals.
Carlisle Park Vikings had the bye.
Kooweerup face Carlisle Park at Kooweerup High School and Merinda Park take on Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll at Donnelly Reserve in the first week of finals.
E GRADE
A Catani win would’ve seen them book their place in the finals, but unfortunately for the Cats, they were unable to defeat the Yabbies in their critical match-up.
Defending 179, the Cats were in a strong position early on day two as the Yabbies top-order stumbled. At 3/19, it was Pakenham Upper Toomuc’s middle-order – led by Patrick Garvey (44) and Sukhdutt Singh (39) – that got things back on track.
In a dramatic finish, the Cats were unable to get the final two wickets they so desperately craved as the Yabbies (8/183) chased down the total and claimed the win. Catani’s Troy Robinson (5/67) bowled valiantly all day.
Upper Beaconsfield took care of business against Emerald. Chasing 177 for the win, the Maroons – led by Jaxon Binns (74) and Nicholas Pastras (55) – were too strong.
After scoring 74 with the bat, Emerald’s Anthony Flint (4/44) was terrific with the ball as well.
Second placed Cranbourne Meadows struggled against Officer. After their batsmen faltered on day one – all out for just 86 – their bowlers were unable to regain any momentum in the contest.
Officer’s Tim Smith (56) and Vincent Artis (44) put on a 73-run second-wicket partnership to ensure the result was never in doubt.
Devon Meadows took the points on forfeit against Gembrook.
Devon Meadows face Upper Beaconsfield at Junction Village Reserve, whilst Cranbourne Meadows and Pakenham Upper Toomuc will battle it out at Lawson Poole Reserve in week one finals action.
F GRADE
After a strong batting performance on day one, Officer proved too much for Pakenham. Defending 254, Officer’s Steve Pursell – who scored a century with the bat – produced with the ball as well, taking 3/39.
Pakenham were bowled out for 223 in reply – with Brock Callaghan-Height (41) top scoring for the Lions.
Carlisle Park wrapped up second position with a win over Nyora. Chasing 124, the Vikings were in trouble early, sitting at 4/22, but a half-century to Amjinder Singh Mann (52*) steadied the innings as the Vikings posted 8/175.
Clyde toppled Cranbourne Meadows in a one-sided affair. After bowling the Rebels out for just 73, a century to Coby Hodgson (102) and Clayton Blair’s 85 ensured a resounding victory for the Cougars.
Merinda Park continued their day one domination against Lang Lang. They dismissed Lang Lang for 91, claiming the outright win. It was a balanced attack, with four bowlers claiming two wickets each.
Clyde will take on Nyora at Lineham Oval, whilst Carlisle Park face Officer at Carlisle Park Reserve in week one of the finals.
G GRADE
Devon Meadows chased down Clyde’s 231 total to claim the win. An unbeaten century to Glen Alton (104*) led his team to victory as the Panthers posted 5/245.
Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll won on forfeit over Catani, whilst Pakenham had the bye.
Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll will play Clyde and Devon Meadows face Pakenham in week one of the finals.
