By Nick Creely
WGCA DISTRICT DIVISION
REVIEW – ROUND 14 (DAY TWO)
Devon Meadows are starting to earn a reputation as the region record breakers.
The Panthers; back in Round 5 against Tooradin; saw Brad Miles (260) make a double century and as a result, break the club’s first XI record team score with 441.
It’s happened again, only a few months later.
On Saturday, young gun Kyle Salerno cashed in on his day one century against Pakenham Upper Toomuc, crunching a mammoth 245 off 285 balls, a knock which featured 39 fours and four sixes at Glover Reserve.
Salerno put on a 252 run partnership with Darren O’Brien (93), before adding a further 164 with Scott Clark (100), who made his first century at senior level.
The Panthers made the Yabbies sweat after the visitors made 122 on day one, batting out the day to finish on an incredible 508, the new highest score in the club’s history.
And ironically, Brad Miles was out for a golden duck, making it all the more impressive.
“I didn’t really expect it to ever happen (making a double century), and I’m pretty happy that it did happen, it was very exciting,” Salerno said of his sublime innings.
“Nothing really felt like it was going to go wrong, there was a few times nearing 200 that I got a bit nervous and I nearly got bowled a few times, but aside from that, everything I tried to do happened perfectly.”
Salerno said that batting all day was always the plan and posting such a huge total is the perfect tune up for a crunch finals campaign.
“When you make a score that big, the team is really confident, and especially when your best batsman is out for a duck; it was a really good effort from the side.
“It gives you heaps of confidence from the batters and bowlers.
“We never needed to declare, we had already finished top; the problem last year, we might have tried to get them outright, and probably gave our bowlers too many overs and burnt them out, so it was best for us to bat all day considering it was hot, and we had some fun.”
Salerno topped the runs in the competition’s home and away season after his double, but doesn’t believe it’s been his best season at the Panthers.
“Before this round, it’s probably not (my best season), I was happier with my form last year, I don’t think I made a score over fifty before Christmas and I’ve just improved over the break.”
Ahead of the Panthers’ massive semi-final against rivals Cranbourne Meadows on Saturday, Salerno said his side was raring to go.
“We have been speaking about finals since day one, considering what happened last year; we’re pumped to come up against a Cranbourne Meadows team that we lost against earlier in the year.
“It’s going to be a good challenge, and it’s really exciting.”
The Rebels, meanwhile, were unable to overcome fellow finals side Carlisle Park Vikings in their clash ahead of finals.
Defending a modest 174, star Viking Jason Hameeteman (127 not out) ensured his side would enter the finals in top notch form, cracking a brilliant century as they ran down the target only three wickets down.
It was Hameeteman’s second century of the season, after making 111 against Tooradin earlier in the season.
David Nutting (62) and Mark Henry (54) each made half centuries as the Vikings finished on 7/325.
In the other matches across the weekend, Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll (8/225) easily accounted for Tooradin at Mountain Rd Reserve, and Officer (9/257) just fell short of it’s pursuit of Clyde’s 9/277.
This weekend’s finals will see Devon Meadows hosting Cranbourne Meadows at Glover, while Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll will play Carlisle Park Vikings, most likely at Heatherbrae in Officer.
WGCA SUB-DISTRICT DIVISION
REVIEW – ROUND 14 (DAY TWO)
The finals are now set in stone, and it’s now down to just four premiership hopefuls, all desperate to claim a piece of treasured silverware.
It took until the final day of the home and away season to sort out whether Pakenham or Gembrook would finish fourth, and it took a stellar effort from the Lions to earn their place.
Resuming at 3/27 in reply to Tooradin’s 125, the Lions just fell over the line, bowled out for 137 in the 49th over after usual Premier player Jason Williams (37) steadied the ship.
But the Lions were merciless in the second dig, rolling the Gulls for just 57, before making the required 51 runs for outright in under an hour, an amazing turnaround considering their position at stumps after day one.
Williams (3/12) was once again prominent with the ball, while Rod Berry (3/13) was also among the wickets.
And now Gembrook will have to settle for fifth spot after being beaten comfortably by premiership fancies Catani.
The Cats batted until their 60th over after rain marred day one, finishing on a strong 8/236 after another strong Liam Adams (89) hand.
Geordie Scott (5/90) was brilliant for the Brookers in another fighting display with the ball.
Despite the best efforts of Scott; who was a long figure with a rapid 59 with the bat, the Brookers could only muster up 117, with only two other players reaching double figures.
Lang Lang (8/375), meanwhile, were able to comfortably defend their total against Aura Vale (242), despite a terrific 90 by Paul Hoenderdaal and a 75 by Owen Thorne, while Cardinia (245) proved too strong for Nyora (154) at E Gunton Oval.
In this weekend’s finals, Lang Lang host Cardinia at Toomuc Reserve, while Catani will welcome Pakenham to Catani Reserve.
