By Hayley Wildes
WGCA LOWER GRADES
REVIEW – ROUND 5 (DAY ONE)
B GRADE
In one of the gutsiest performances in recent memory, nothing was going to stop Devon Meadows’ Luke Hamilton from scoring a ton against Officer – not even a broken toe.
With his team struggling at 3/29, Hamilton (134) and opener Will Loudon (69) combined for a dominant 175-run partnership to get the Panthers well and truly back on track. Hamilton’s century was incredible in more ways than one.
Just 10 balls into his innings, Hamilton sustained a broken toe (x-rays later confirmed this fact). It didn’t slow him down though, in fact it did the opposite.
Clearly not in the mood to run between the wickets – and who can blame him – Hamilton smashed 19 4s and five 6s in the brutal innings, which saw him finish with the highest individual Devon Meadows 2nd XI score since 2005. He brought up his ton in stunning fashion, belting two consecutive sixes to reach triple figures.
Eventually, Devon Meadows was dismissed for 293.
Despite losing many wickets cheaply, Carlisle Park posted a strong total against Aura Vale. Led by a 119-run partnership between Paul Gray (90) and Iqbal Soi (56), the Vikings posted a total of 237. Louis Nichols (6/49) was in devastating form for Aura Vale.
In reply, Aura Vale sits at 0/25.
Tooradin had many players get off to strong starts against Cranbourne Meadows, but only Cian O’Riordan (64) was able to really get going. Gagan Singla (5/59) and Tom Smith (3/38) kept the pressure on the Seagulls and eventually dismissed them for 199 in the 69th over.
Emerald is in the box seat after day one of their encounter against Catani. Jake Santini (5/30) ripped through the Cats’ batting line-up and had them at 6/45, before strong tail end contributions from Ben Ferrari-Mela (29) and Nathaniel Wade (25) helped Catani to a total of 145.
In reply, the Bombers are sitting on 1/41, with Brad Trinnick (22 not out) and Danny Ceeney (12 not out) at the crease.
C GRADE
Upper Beaconsfield and Pakenham Upper/Toomuc are locked in an interesting battle.
Having batted first, the Maroons only had one batsmen – Adam Lawrence (43) – make over 15 runs as they struggled their way to 127. Lee Harris (3/21), Mitch Mibus (2/1) and Casey Thomsen (2/7) picked a part the Maroons.
In reply, the Yabbies are finding batting difficult too, sitting at 2/13 after 15 overs.
Officer is in trouble against Cardinia as runs were hard to come by on day one. After 70 overs, the Bullants posted a total of just 8/101 as Brent Pullen (37 not out) top-scored. David Kingston (3/8) was efficient and deadly in his 15 overs, which included eight maidens. Nisal Kaduwela (3/20) also bowled well for the Bulls.
Pakenham’s Duane Lucas (7/20) was a man on a mission against Clyde. Lucas delivered a near-perfect bowling display and the Cougars simply had no answers for him as they fell for just 56 runs in the 34th over.
In reply, the Lions have piled on 5/231 – led by Michael McLaren (79) and Sean Gramc (78) – and will be looking for an outright win when play resumes on Saturday.
Cranbourne Meadows is in strife against NNG/Maryknoll. Batting first, the Rebels struggled to put runs on the board as Abhi Sharma (3/23) bowled consistently. With Jason Poole (35) top scoring, the Rebels posted a total of 119.
In reply, the Marygoons sit at 1/73 after 18 overs, with Matthew Trofa (37 not out) in control.
D GRADE
It was the ‘Ashley Bailey Show’ at Donnelly Reserve as he tore apart Merinda Park’s batting line-up. Bailey (8/49) struck key wickets all day as Merinda Park had players get off to strong starts, but none were able to bat for long enough to make a real difference. With Bailey leading the way, the Marygoons dismissed the Cobras for 147.
In reply, the Marygoons are in strife – sitting at 2/5 after 11 overs.
Pakenham will have to rely on their bowlers against Lang Lang. Having batted first, the Lions sat at 6/45, before being dismissed for 114. Jackson Pawsey (5/20) was in sublime form for the Tigers.
Lang Lang is 1/27 after 12 overs in response.
Kooweerup will need an improved performance in day two of their clash against the Victorian Vikings. Having sent the Vikings into bat, the Demons struggled to break partnerships as Harikesh Shastri (72) and Srikanth Vakiti (55) led their team to a total of 263.
The Demons had to survive two overs with the bat and lost the crucial wicket Chris Wood (0), which will see them resume play at 1/6.
Emerald is in a strong position against Carlisle Park, having been led well by Glenn Tucker (83) and Jaiden Vanderlaan (40). The Bombers posted a total of 9/233 as Harinderjit Brar (3/51) bowled well.
E GRADE
An Officer batting collapse has Cranbourne Meadows in a winning position heading into day two of their clash.
The Bullants lost their final eight wickets for just 37 runs as Brodie Matthews (4/15) and Geoff Bradshaw (3/19) were dominant with the ball. Officer was dismissed for just 77 runs and in reply, the Rebels sit at 2/35.
Pakenham Upper/Toomuc struggled early against Nyora, but strong contributions from Jonathon Rewell (32) and Stuart Langley (23) helped the team post a defendable total of 151. In reply, the Maroons sit at 1/5 after seven overs.
Catani posted a total of 154 against Devon Meadows as Danial McFarlane (56) and Danny Parsons (40) top-scored for the Cats. Paul Borg (2/7) was impressive for the Panthers.
Tooradin found it tough going against Clyde as Brett Whittingham (4/12) was in fine form. The Seagulls were dismissed for 127 and in reply, the Cougars sit at 3/56.
F GRADE
Cranbourne Meadows look in trouble against Cardinia after being dismissed for 150. Brett Richards (48) top-scored for the Rebels, while Chris Remy (2/15) and Branden Thompson (18) were dangerous for the Bulls.
After eight overs, Cardinia is 0/20 in reply.
It’s a battle of the bowlers in the Pakenham and Pakenham Upper/Toomuc clash. The Yabbies were dismissed for just 65 runs as Tanner Thomsen (28) top-scored and Marcus Martini (6/24) fired down brilliant deliveries for the Lions.
Chasing a modest total, Pakenham struggled early, but Shadab Anwer (48) and James Reid (38) steadied the ship to see the Lions post a total of 153. Bailey Smith (6/57) was in terrific form for the Yabbies.
On Saturday, the Yabbies will resume at 1/6.
Merinda Park White stamped their authority early against Merinda Park Red. Red was sitting at 1/0 and never recovered as Kanwaljit Handa (3/25) and Scott Strang (2/7) bowled brilliantly for White.
In reply, White sits at 0/150 as John Cuthbertson (100 retired) belted his third century in as many innings in F Grade action.
Devon Meadows defeated Clyde on forfeit.
