By Nick Creely
AROUND THE GROUNDS
WARRAGUL DISTRICT
ROUND 13 (DAY TWO)
Neerim District have pulled off one of the most stunning upsets in recent memory, toppling ladder leaders Western Park in remarkable fashion.
On a wonderful opening day for the Stags, they amassed 267 after a sublime century to skipper Jackson Ward (111), and left the premiership favourites hanging precariously at 4/42 at stumps.
But with still plenty of batting left in the shed, the Warriors entered the second day with plenty of work to do, but one partnership was all that was needed to set the tone.
Instead, the Stags, inspired by a brilliant performance by Dane Fawcett (6/69), ravaged through the Warriors early to leave them in dire trouble at 6/61.
A brief fightback, led by the likes of Jason Croft (53) and Zane Harper (38) got the Warriors back into the game, but the Stags rallied to bowl out the Warriors for just 196.
Ellinbank, meanwhile, held an impressive Hallora bowling group off to deny the home side a chance of breaking into the top four.
The Bankers resumed at 1/44, still needing a further 120 runs to take the points, and despite stumbling their way to the finish line courtesy of a patient knock by Matt Farthing (51 off 158 balls), the home side were always in the game.
James Williams (5/33) was a virtual lone hand for the home side, who eventually bowled the Bankers out for 178 in the 73rd over.
In other matches, Drouin (274) belted Yarragon (132) at Dowton Park in what was a brilliant all-round effort from the Hawks, while Buln Buln (5/244 and 0/29) won outright against a struggling Jindivick (171 and 101).
VICTORIAN PREMIER CRICKET
ROUND 14 (DAY TWO)
Dandenong are yet to have a Ryder Medal draped around the neck of one of its players.
While there have been some serious cricketers grace the field this Victorian Premier Cricket season, champion Panther Brett Forsyth could well be the favourite to take out this year’s award, such has been the dominance of the class opener with a stunning thirst for runs. It would be a historic occasion for the club and fitting for a player that has bled for the club since playing his first game for the Panthers nearly 16 years ago.
Forsyth’s 168 on Saturday, which is now his highest score during his glittering career at Shepley and second century in a row, was a case of a player that simply knows how to build an innings from nothing, accelerate at the exact right moment, and rein in his aggression when the moment demanded it.
It was batting for the purists, and even more of an indication that he has what it takes if the Victorian selectors decide to have a look. Australian cricket demands batsmen with the temperament of Forsyth.
Facing a big ask heading into day two, the Panthers got off to the best start possible in their chase of 351 against Footscray, with Forsyth and skipper Tom Donnell (35) notching up 69 for the first wicket, in yet another strong stand by the champion openers.
Donnell’s departure didn’t halt the home side’s momentum, with Cam Forsyth (31) also batting well to spend some quality time at the crease with his brother, and the pair swiftly added a further 56 runs to the score, with the Dogs struggling to find the right lines on a golden batting track.
But after crossing yet another half-century, Forsyth seemed primed to build on that, crunching several to the boundary in ominous fashion in what appeared to be a switching of gears.
Joining the star at 3/195, the returning James Pattinson (68 off 67) showed his many tricks with the bat, rattling off boundaries to all corners of Shepley in what proved to be the match-winning stand. While Pattinson carved them, Forsyth continued to churn his runs, knowing all too well his presence at the end of the day would seal the points for his side, and bring them one step closer to being given the chance to defend their premiership.
Despite Pattinson fall only 30 runs before victory, a late cameo to James Nanopoulos (21 off 13) helped get the job done, with Forsyth deservingly striking the winning runs with five wickets and just 11 balls to spare.
Essendon, meanwhile, reeled in Casey-South Melbourne’s monster total on Saturday, in one of the most stunning run chases of recent memory.
Off the back of Luke Wells’ epic 197 on day one, the Bombers needed a similar innings to chase down 397, and it came in the form of the Englishman’s counterpart – former Victorian batsman and Dons skipper Aaron Ayre.
Despite losing the destructive James Seymour early after Jackson Fry (2/88) managed to find the edge of the opening batsman, the Dons made the most of an incredible bowling track with very little demons for the batting side.
In warm conditions, Ayre was simply sublime, cracking 26 boundaries and a maximum on his way to a sparkling century, combining for a 141-run stand with a more subdued Justin Galeotti (38) in the early part of the day.
Unable to find regular breakthroughs – similar to the Bombers on day one – Ayre looked like posting a memorable double century that will almost certainly have him in the minds of Victorian selectors, but fell for 173 off 184 balls.
Left-hander Michael Hill (109 not out) rammed home the advantage, capitalising on a tired Swans bowling outfit, belting a century, with Isaac Willett (41 not out) also providing some fireworks to see the visitors home within 83 overs and with seven wickets still left in the shed.
With just one round left to play in the home-and-away season, it appears that the Swans will miss out on a finals spot, but can finish their season on a high when they travel to take on Ringwood at Russell Lucas Oval on Saturday.
MPCA – PROVINCIAL
ROUND 13 (DAY ONE)
Pearcedale will fancy their chances of picking up an upset victory against Mt Eliza and climb off the bottom of the table after restrict the Mounties to 210.
The visitors overcame a horror start after at one stage being 4/55 to post a competitive total, with Kaine Smith (4/60) and Sam Frawley (3/20) bowling brilliantly for the Panthers.
In other matches, Langwarrin scratched their way to 155 against Baxter, who will resume on 0/3, A sparkling 139 to Matt Foon guided Mornington to 232 against Peninsula OB, while Flinders could only muster up 112 against Sorrento.
VICTORIAN SUB-DISTRICT – NORTH/EAST
ROUND 12 (DAY TWO)
Endeavour Hills suffered a tough outright loss to Brunswick at Syd Pargeter Reserve on Saturday.
The Eagles resumed on 3/35 after already being bowled out for 87 and the visitors declared on 3/151, and provided little resistance to be rolled for just 96 in the 40th over.
The visitors then raced down the 35 runs at a run a ball to obtain an extra four points.
Noble Park, meanwhile, picked up a strong win against Coburg at the City Oval.
The Parkers were in fine form to rack up 269 on day one, and bowled superbly to roll the Burgers for just 149, with Kalhath Arachige (4/49) in fine form with the ball for the visitors.
It means, with just a round left to play, the Parkers will be seeing finals action this season, with the top six all but locked away with a one-day match to finish the home-and-away season on Saturday.
