By Hayley Wildes
WGCA LOWER GRADES
REVIEW – ROUND 9 (ONE-DAYER)
Tooradin and Emerald played out an absolute thriller at Rutter Park Reserve. The Seagulls batted first and Owen Johnstone (47) got the innings off to a strong start, before his team posted a total of 8/160. Bailey Tucker (3/29) was impressive for the Bombers.
In reply, Emerald – led by an unbeaten half century from Caleb Lobbe (59 not out) – chased down the target with one ball to spare in an incredible battle. Hayden Lownds (4/16) almost pulled the Seagulls over the line.
Officer did just enough to defend its total against Catani. The Bullants struggled with the bat and managed a total of 149. Nathaniel Wade (2/13) and Daniel McFarlane (2/27) bowled well for the Cats.
In a game where runs were hard to come by, Officer’s bowlers stood up and made life difficult for Catani. Despite strong innings from Trent Adams (38) and George Zekic (38), the Cats fell short of the required runs, managing 9/141 in their 40 overs.
Devon Meadows recorded a strong win over Carlisle Park. The Panthers posted a total of 6/175 after strong contributions from Luke Howard (65) and Will Loudon (39).
In reply, the Vikings were in trouble early at 4/22 and despite the best efforts of Mike Chapman (33) were unable to recover. They were dismissed for 157 as Jamie Cape (3/24) and Nathan Fenner (3/28) bowled well for the Panthers.
Aura Vale was too strong for Cranbourne Meadows. The Rebels batted first and with Jason Poole (59) leading the way, posted a total of 182. In reply, the Lakers got to work and chased down the target with five wickets in hand in 35 overs.
C GRADE
Clyde defended its total of 8/162 against Pakenham Upper/Toomuc. The Cougars were led by Owen Marquis (39), while Corey Moncrieff (3/34) bowled well for the Yabbies.
In reply, Pakenham Upper/Toomuc struggled to deal with Daniel Waite (5/18) as he caused absolute havoc. Matt Southall (44) and Mark Johnson (35) tried their best to guide the Yabbies to victory, but it wasn’t enough as they were dismissed for 144 in 38.4 overs.
Upper Beaconsfield chased down Officer’s total after restricting the Bullants to 8/131. Colin Parnall (58 not out) was a lone hand for Officer, while Chad McDonald (4/21) was sublime for Upper Beaconsfield.
McDonald followed up his great bowling by top-scoring with 48 runs and leading his team home with a total of 6/133 in 37 overs.
Cranbourne Meadows could only muster 64 runs as Pakenham’s Matt McCormick (4/21) ran riot. In reply, the Lions chased down the required runs in 13 overs, led by Jackson Myers (34 not out).
NNG/Maryknoll defended their total of 4/183 against Cardinia. The Marygoons looked in control as the trio of Harrison Webb (49), Daniel Salmon (48) and Matthew Trofa (46) all fired.
The Bulls lost early wickets and despite a fightback, were unable to get back in the game, dismissed for 152 in 37 overs.
D GRADE
Pakenham and Carlisle Park played out a classic at Heatherbrae Reserve. The Vikings posted a total of 7/156, thanks largely to an 86-run partnership between Deepak Singh (70) and Harinderjit Brar (37).
With openers James Perkins (41) and Nicholas Motton (36) getting the innings off to a strong start, others faltered for the Lions and it took until the final ball for the result to be decided. Pakenham hit the winning runs on the final ball of the day to claim a memorable win.
Rupinderjeet Brar (6/46) was sublime in an incredible display for the Vikings.
Strong contributions from Dale Street (34 not out) and Stephen Moore (31) weren’t enough for Emerald (9/157) against Merinda Park. It took 38 overs and the loss of two wickets, but Brett Armitage (78 not out) anchored the innings to lead Merinda Park home with a total of 2/160.
NNG/Maryknoll’s batsmen faltered against the Victorian Vikings, but it mattered little as their bowlers were too strong. Batting first, the Marygoons found themselves at 4/32, before Nick Mueller (27) steadied the innings and led his team to a total of 8/134.
In reply, the Vikings were no match for Bryan Woodley (4/14) and Shamraiz Medhi (3/26), dismissed for just 95 runs in 32 overs.
Lang Lang’s total of 5/138 wasn’t enough against Kooweerup. Chris Brew (60) and Bailey Esler (39) put on a 90-run partnership for the Tigers, but the Demons posted a total of 8/148 in 38 overs.
Ayden Mills (63) starred for Kooweerup, while Jason Gurney (3/14) was impressive for Lang Lang.
E GRADE
In a special day for those involved with Devon Meadows Cricket Club, five life members played in the one side on Saturday – a first in club history.
The ‘fantastic five’ – Peter Zauner, Darren O’Brien, Peter O’Brien, Mark Hosking and Lincoln Hepburn – have been mates for over 20 years and between them, there’s over 140 years of service to the club, 25000+ runs scored and 1400+ wickets taken.
Taking on Nyora, they showed no mercy as Darren O’Brien (122) belted everything out of the park and Anthony Scott (92 not out) followed in similar fashion. The Panthers posted a massive total of 5/303.
In reply, the Maroons could only muster 58 runs as Lincoln Hepburn (4/24) and Peter Zauner (2/34) bowled impressively.
Officer was too strong for Tooradin, despite the best efforts of Kaine Bundy. Bundy opened the batting for Tooradin and put on an unbeaten 124 runs off 133 balls in a truly dynamic display.
His teammates failed to fire though, and Tooradin posted a total of 5/175. In reply, Officer, led by a magnificent knock from Adam Vangeninden (99 not out), got the win with a total of 6/189.
Clyde was a class above Merinda Park. The Cobras were dismissed for just 99 runs as Kyle Brooke (5/30) put on a show. The Cougars reached the required runs in 14 overs as openers Shane Jack (55 not out) and Brooke (29 not out) went to work.
Cranbourne Meadows’ total of 167 was enough against Pakenham Upper/Toomuc. The Rebels were led by opener Brett Richards (38), while Brett Carey (3/8) bowled well for the Yabbies.
In reply, the Yabbies faltered early and never recovered, dismissed for 123 as Mark Zoldak (3/22) was in fine form.
F GRADE
Cardinia’s middle-order stood up and led them to a win against Pakenham. Ash Jones (51 not out) and Branden Thompson (30 not out) revived the Bulls’ innings to post a total of 5/135.
In reply, Pakenham failed to make inroads and were dismissed for 111. Chris Remy (3/10) was in devastating form for the Bulls.
Devon Meadows (8/150) was too strong for Cranbourne Meadows, with Mick Hawkins (58 not out) leading the way for the Panthers.
The Rebels (116) struggled with the bowling trio of Ryan Worsteling (3/8), Brad Williams (3/22) and Kishan Sharma (3/46).
Clyde (8/223) was too good for Merinda Park. Opener Ben Cooper (101) was extraordinary and a lower-order contribution from Joel Driver (46) led the Cougars to their imposing total.
The Cobras (116) were never in the hunt as Ron Kane (3/19) bowled well.
Catani had the bye.
