By Hayley Wildes
WGCA LOWER GRADES
REVIEW – ROUND 14 (DAY ONE)
B GRADE
Having already wrapped up top spot on the ladder, Officer showed no mercy against the lowly Tooradin at Rutter Park Reserve.
The Bullants had six batsmen score at least 20 runs in an even display across the board to see them post a total of 285. Darren Kneebone (63) and Jayson Dryden (57) shone in the middle order to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Dale Bethune (5/25) and Owen Johnstone (3/33) did all they could for the Seagulls.
Catani dominated the majority of day one in their clash against Carlisle Park, but the Vikings fought back late in the day.
The Cats sent the Vikings into bat and dismissed opener Iqbal Soi (0) before he troubled the scorers. Mike Chapman (53 not out) played a lone hand as other fell around him, with Carlisle Park all out for 133. Leigh Jose (3/31) bowled well for the Cats.
In reply, Catani faced seven overs to end day one and will resume play at 1/6 after Trent Adams fell for a duck.
Aura Vale struggled with the bat but has fought back strongly with the ball against Devon Meadows. The Lakers were dismissed for 120 with only skipper Brad Richards (50) making any substantial inroads as Ashley Meade (4/17) was in fine form.
The Panthers are also struggling with the bat and will resume play on day two at 3/38.
The match-up between Emerald and Cranbourne Meadows was abandoned on day one and will be a one-dayer this weekend.
C GRADE
Top placed Pakenham Upper/Toomuc will be looking to chase down Officer’s 162 runs when play resumes on day two.
The Bullants elected to bat first and despite some starts by key players, only Brent Pullen (37) was able to make over 25 runs as Blake McGrath (4/28), Mitch Mibus (3/21) and Nicholas Braham (3/29) kept the pressure on with superb bowling.
The Yabbies successfully navigated seven tricky overs at the end of day one and will resume play at 0/4.
Pakenham posted a commanding total of 8/287 against Cardinia, thanks largely to a terrific unbeaten century from skipper Troy Wilson.
Standing at 2/25, Pakenham needed a steadying influence and Wilson (126 not out) provided just that as he anchored the innings to help the Lions take control of the game. Matt Celima (3/26) was the pick of the Bulls bowlers.
Bottom placed Cranbourne Meadows took it right up to Clyde on day one of their clash.
The Rebels got solid contributions across the board and Maqbool Laiq (84) ensured Cranbourne Meadows finished with a strong total of 247, smashing 10 fours and three sixes. Stuart Williams (4/61) was the pick of the Cougars bowlers.
The clash between Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll and Upper Beaconsfield will be a one-day game this weekend after Nar Nar Goon Recreation Reserve was used as a station for the local firefighting efforts.
D GRADE
Kooweerup posted a total of 227 against Pakenham as five players scored over 30 runs. Scott Gray (44) and Adam Wilkinson (39) led the way in an even effort from the Demons, while four Lions took multiple wickets.
Carlisle Park somehow managed to post a total of 162 against Merinda Park, despite eight players failing to get over three runs.
Opener Gaurav Dutt (84) played a lone hand for much of the innings as his fellow top order batsmen fell thick and fast. Finally, Deepak Singh (41) produced in the middle order and helped steady the ship.
Martin Donaldson (4/2) produced five brutal overs to begin the day, while Tyson Bertrand (3/49) impressed later in the innings.
Merinda Park stands at 1/50 after 13 overs, with Mark Thomas (34 not out) leading the way.
The clash between Lang Lang and Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll as abandoned on day one, while the Victorian Vikings claimed the points against Emerald on a forfeit.
E GRADE (ONE-DAY)
Cranbourne Meadows (116 points) entered the final round of the season just two points in advance of Clyde (114 points) at the top of the table and after both recorded wins, the Rebels finished the season atop of the ladder.
Cranbourne Meadows restricted Devon Meadows to a total of 9/150 in 40 overs as Geoff Bradshaw (3/13) and Mark Zoldak (3/29) bowled superbly to keep the pressure squarely on the Panthers.
Lachlan O’Beirne (34 not out) and Antony Scott (31) toiled away for Devon Meadows.
In reply, the Rebels struggled early to sit at 4/37, but an important 55-run partnership between Andrew Clappers (32) and Brodie Matthews (27) got Cranbourne Meadows back on track.
At 8/124, the Rebels still required 27 runs for victory and David Waller (24 not out) did enough to get his side home with a total of 8/157. Lincoln Hepburn (3/37) was the pick of the Panthers bowlers.
Clyde demolished Nyora in brutal fashion. With great contributions from an array of sources, the Cougars posted a massive total of 4/374 in 40 overs. It was 14-year-old Shem Smith (113 not out) who was a class above, hitting 19 boundaries, while Tristan Walton (78 not out) also impressed.
Smith’s incredible unbeaten ton had to be seen to be believed as the young gun punished the Maroons to all parts of the field.
Chasing a daunting total, the Maroons were unable to get going as Zac Shepherd (3/42) led a fine Clyde bowling unit, which dismissed Nyora for 111 runs in 22 overs.
Merinda Park restricted Tooradin to 132 runs, but only just got home with a one-wicket win.
The Seagulls were led by Troy Brown (42), while John Cuthbertson (3/20) was impressive with the ball for the Rebels.
In reply, Merinda Park struggled with the bat as Jack Mannix (5/18) delivered eight brutal overs to take care of the middle order. At 9/110, the Rebels were in trouble, but Michael Blaby (33 not out) and Rodney Morrsion (11 not out) combined for a vital 29-run final wicket partnership to guide Merinda Park home with a total of 9/139.
Officer’s total of 7/150 wasn’t enough against Pakenham Upper/Toomuc.
The Bullants struggled early, but strong knocks from Adam Vangeninden (41) and Aidan Pipicelli (35) helped Officer post the somewhat defendable total.
In reply, the Yabbies were led by Chris Vernal (62), Ben Clough (36) and Stuart Langley (36 not out) to get home with a total of 6/166.
F GRADE (ONE-DAY)
Top placed Cardinia was skittled for just 87 runs by Devon Meadows.
The Bulls struggled from the outset as Ravinda Mallikarachchi (3/8), Neil Baker (2/9) and Connor Morgan (2/19) claimed key wickets. Tony Cianter (26) top scored for the Bulls.
In reply, the Panthers chased down the required runs with five overs to spare and four wickets in hand. Glen D’Alton (26 not out) led Devon Meadows home.
Catani successfully defended its total of 9/144 against Pakenham. At 6/77, the Cats needed a steadying partnership and got just that from Danial McFarlane (24) and Brayden Hall (45). The pair combined for 60 runs to push Catani’s total to a defendable one.
Pakenham’s Zac Downes (4/14) and Shayne Svenson (3/21) were in fine form.
Chasing a modest total, the Lions faltered early and never recovered as only Hiren Patel (23) scored over 20 runs. Pakenham was dismissed for just 97 runs in the 31st over.
Cranbourne Meadows won on forfeit over Merinda Park, while Clyde had the bye.
