By Nick Creely
AROUND THE GROUNDS
VICTORIAN PREMIER CRICKET
ROUND 15 (DAY ONE)
After just two rounds this season, Casey-South Melbourne made the tough decision to send club favourite Michael Wallace back to the seconds to find some form.
The club vice-president and sturdy left-handed batsman responded with class, cracking a century in his stint in the twos before being recalled for the match against Camberwell, where he played a sublime hand of 125 to guide the Swans to a big win at Bill Lawry Oval.
On Saturday, with Luke Wells having jetted off back to the UK to prepare for the season ahead with Sussex, Wallace crashed his second century of the season to guide the Swans to 9/287 at stumps against Ringwood at Russell Lucas Oval.
His 227-ball 113 took his run tally to 547 at 49.7, an incredible turn around considering the early troubles he faced this season.
The Swans took their time to get going after winning the toss and having a bat in the final match of the season.
Despite the losses of Jared Maxwell and Ryan Quirk relatively early, talented youngster Joel Mitchell showed once again he’s got the talent to make it at the level by scoring 53, but the Swans fell to 4/93 with the class of the Rams shining through.
That’s where the stand-in captain Wallace showed all of his class on what was a stifling hot day. The leftie struggled to find any meaningful partnerships, with Dylan Hadfield (30) also showing plenty of resistance, but it wasn’t until number 11 Jackson Fry (three not out off 48 balls) got to the crease, that Wallace was able to settle and start to advance ahead.
Putting on unbeaten 65-runs for the final wicket, Wallace launched at the Rams to post a memorable century after last match being unluckily run out for 90, cracking 14 boundaries and two monster sixes in his sublime knock.
In the seconds, the Swans (2/57) are in a strong position to push for victory against the Rams (259), with James Maxwell (3/30) bowling well in his return from injury, in the thirds the Swans (0/5) face a big challenge against the Rams (276), and in the fourths the Swans amassed 6/261.
Dandenong, meanwhile, are in a completely dominant position against Kingston Hawthorn at Walt Galt Reserve.
The Hawks elected to bat, and struggled from the outset, rolled for 150 in 80 overs, with Jimmy Pattinson (1/22) making great strides in his comeback with injury, but it was emerging seamer Jakeb Thomas (3/12), and reliable pair Peter Cassidy (2/27) and James Nanopoulos (2/23) doing plenty of damage.
The Panthers lost the in-form Brett Forsyth (20) before stumps, but will resume on 1/55 with Tom Donnell (22) and Cam Forsyth (eight) looking to continue their dominance.
MPCA – PROVINCIAL
ROUND 13 (DAY TWO)
A battle for relegation is on the cards this weekend after Pearcedale lost on the final day against Mt Eliza at Tractor Park.
The Panthers were rolled for just 105 in reply to the Mounties’ first innings total of 210, with Brad Trotter top scoring with 29 at the top end.
It means that the loser in Saturday’s one dayer between Pearcedale and Flinders is likely to be relegated to Peninsula next season, with 12 points and small percentage separating the two sides.
In other matches, Baxter (9/159) escaped with a thrilling win against Langwarrin (155) at Greg Beck Oval, Peninsula OB (6/233) brilliantly chased down Mornington’s (232) imposing total, while Sorrento (6/195) easily accounted for Flinders (112) at David McFarlane Reserve.
With a round to play, Langwarrin, Sorrento and Peninsula OB are all locked in to play finals, with the final spot to be either Mornington or Baxter.
VICTORIAN SUB-DISTRICT – NORTH/EAST
ROUND 13
Noble Park has officially qualified for finals, finishing fourth on the ladder, despite a loss in the final round of the home-and-away season to Kew at Pat Wright Oval.
The Parkers were set a comfortable 170 in 45 overs to chase down, and were bowled out for 168, with skipper Luke Wintle in the runs again with 42.
They will now play Bayswater away from home in this Saturday and Sunday’s semi-final.
Endeavour Hills, meanwhile, ended their season with a spirited win against Preston, but have still finished last on the ladder.
The Eagles were set 205 for victory, and got there with seven balls and five wickets to spare, with Awais Ahmed starring with 67 not out, including four sixes. Skipper Vaughan Baxter provided terrific support with a classy 39.
