By Hayley Wildes
WGCA LOWER GRADES
GRAND FINAL REVIEWS
B GRADE
Merinda Park completed their dominant season in style against Kooweerup at Donnelly Reserve.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Merinda Park were in early trouble at 2/10, with Craig Robertson (0) and Chris Smith (2) falling cheaply. The loss of Laster Betreen (20) saw the Cobras sitting at 3/37 and in desperate need of a steadying partnership.
They got all that and more. A brilliant 162-run partnership between Karanbir Tiwana (117) and Noel Betreen (42) frustrated the Demons as their promising start quickly turned into a nightmarish day of play.
Tiwana’s century was composed as he worked the bowlers over and rotated the strike to perfection. His wicket was eventually claimed by Hayden Watson (3/25), who came on and made an immediate impact on his five overs.
Mark Thomas (33 not out) provided crucial runs down the order as Merinda Park posted a strong total of 9/258.
The Demons were never able to assert themselves in their run chase, dismissed for 141.
It was a team effort from the Cobras as four bowlers took multiple wickets. Jass Dhaliwal (2/15), Thanuja Senerathna (2/23), Amreek Mann (2/28) and Gurpreet Goraya (2/38) ensured Kooweerup’s run chase never gained any steam.
After his match-winning century with the bat, Tiwana (1/0) claimed the Demons’ final wicket in his first over.
C GRADE
Catani backed up a commanding batting display with ruthless bowling against Cranbourne Meadows to claim the WGCA C Grade Premiership.
With the Cats struggling at 2/15, it was Chris Duncan (46) and skipper Brad McDonald (25) who steadied the innings and put on a 65-run partnership. Atta Basit (2/42) finally broke that partnership, but before they knew it, another partnership was brewing.
This time it was Leigh Jose (61) and Riley McDonald (60) who piled on the pain and made Cranbourne Meadows pay for any wayward deliveries. Their 109-run partnership helped the Cats post a commanding total of 8/250.
Rafiq Saqib (2/33) was the pick of the Rebels bowlers.
In reply, the Rebels were looking dangerous early. A promising opening partnership between Munir Saqib (34) and Ajith Venkatesan (7) was undone when Riley Miller claimed the wicket of Vankatesan, caught behind by Josh Bethune.
Saqib fell shortly after, with the Rebels sitting at 2/43.
Strong contributions from Sami Muzaffar (32) and Sibghat Ullah (23), kept Cranbourne Meadows in the contest. That was until a batting collapse occurred.
From sitting at 3/101, the Rebels lost their final seven wickets for only 22 runs to be dismissed for just 124.
George Zekic (4/20) was dominant with the ball as was Jose (61 and 3/22), who backed up his impressive batting performance with consistent bowling.
D GRADE
In a game that was dominated by the bowlers, Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll claimed the WGCA D Grade Premiership in a low scoring affair.
Kooweerup looked to have one hand on the trophy after dismissing NNG/Maryknoll for just 71 runs – thanks to Tom Cottrell (5/24) and Will Selleck (3/16) – but the Marygoons had other ideas.
Chasing just 72 runs to claim the Premiership, Kooweerup faltered early and were unable to recover. As their top five batsmen combined for just eight runs (three ducks), the Demons had no answers for the Marygoons bowlers.
Shamraiz Medhi (6/31) was electric with the ball and tore through the Demons’ batting line-up with ease. Abhi Sharma (4/28) was also brutal as the pair ensured the Marygoons took home the trophy.
E GRADE
Upper Beaconsfield have completed an inspired finals run to claim the WGCA E Grade Premiership against Cranbourne Meadows.
After finishing the season in fourth, the Maroons overcame the top placed Panthers in the first week of the finals and proved too much for the Rebels on the weekend.
Nicholas Pastras Jr. (101) was on a mission as he smashed his way to a brilliant century. His innings included 10 4s and five massive 6s, before he was finally dismissed off the bowling of Abhisheik Sundararajan (2/32).
The damage was done though as Pastras Jr. and his father, Nicholas Pastras (59) were simply irresistible as the two combined for a 103-run partnership. Opener, Jaxon Binns (45) was key early in the innings.
The innings came to a close with Upper Beaconsfield posting a massive total of 9/344.
With a daunting total to chase, the Rebels found themselves in early trouble at 2/5. To their credit, they were able to compose the innings with key knocks from Ricky Mitchell (65), Trevor Poole (43), Jason Poole (42) and skipper Mitch Abel (33).
Just as partnerships were starting to form though, Upper Beaconsfield’s bowlers always found a way to break through.
Matt Curtain (3/24) and Beau Watson (3/45) were able to make inroads when needed. Cranbourne Meadows were dismissed for 275, as Upper Beaconsfield claimed a 69-run win.
F GRADE
In a tight contest at Lineham Oval, Clyde claimed the WGCA F Grade Premiership.
A 130-run partnership between Jack James (78) and Cooper Pursell (50) was the highlight of Officer’s innings, but Clyde were able to ensure the run rate didn’t get out of hand.
Max Adams (3/68) claimed key wickets for Clyde as Officer posted a total of 5/212.
In reply, Clyde’s openers – Clayton Blair (50) and Daniel Waite (22) – set up the innings, before Waite was dismissed LBW off the bowling of Sean Chamberlain (3/39).
Shane Jack (40) and Noel O’Brien (35) were critical in the middle-order as they put together composed innings’ and punished what needed to be punished.
Max Adams (26 not out) and Mark Coe (2 not out) were able to hold their nerve as the Cougars chased down the required runs in the 67th over with three wickets in hand.
G GRADE
Clyde have come from fourth position to claim the WGA G Grade Premiership in a contest that was headlined by the bowlers against Pakenham.
Pakenham’s bowlers were ruthless – highlighted by Duane Lucas (6/26) – as they bowled Clyde out for just 68 runs. A valuable 16 runs from Cougars’ 11th batsman Aaron Blencowe proved to be crucial.
With a small total to chase, Pakenham stumbled and will be ruing their inability to take their chances.
Ron Kane (6/39) and Jack Lowis (4/19) were at their at best for Clyde.
Pakenham, sitting at 6/58, needing just 11 runs to win, lost their final four wickets for a measly two runs.
