By Tyler Lewis and Nick Creely
WGCA OTHER GRADES
REVIEW – ROUND 4 (DAY ONE)
SUB-DISTRICT
Pakenham and Cardinia snuck on to the ground, but only briefly before the rain reduced day one of their match at Toomuc Reserve on Saturday.
The Bulls were only able to scrounge out 22 overs with the ball before the match was abandoned for day one.
Pakenham was in early trouble at 3/29 but the ship has been steadied so far by Nic Close (28 not out) and Kodey Davidson (13 not out) – and the Lions will resume on day two at 3/52.
Tooradin and Lang Lang were able to avoid most of the conditions across the state and get the full 80 overs of cricket completed.
Tooradin opted to bat and finished 9/205. Ned Harrison was the best with the bat for the Gulls with 77 not out, but the gloveman was noodling the ball around – only hitting the four boundaries and one maximum. For the Swamp Tigers, Rajind Dassanyake was the pick of the bowlers with a sublime 6/38 from 15 overs.
The all-rounder looms as an early favourite for the league medal with 10 wickets and 136 runs to his name halfway through round four.
Officer was halted by the rain after the Bullants sat in a commanding position only 13 overs into day one against Merinda Park. They had the Cobras 3/3 early on and 3/24 overnight.
Sajith Malalgodapitiya had the Cobras in all sorts with the terrific figures of 2/8 from 6.2 so far.
Cranbourne Meadows and Kooweerup were unable to get on the ground at all and
will be reduced to a one day match this week. weather permitting.
B GRADE
Like the District grade, not a single match began on Saturday due to weather conditions.
C GRADE
Officer is facing an outright loss at the hands Cardinia after a rain-reduced day one.
The Bullants opted to bat and were bundled out for 48 in 45 overs.
Pradeep Kasana was the pick of the bowlers 6/19 from 13 overs.
In reply, the Bulls are 2/53, eyeing off the chance to secure double points in the early stages of the season. Merinda Park and Tooradin got their entire
match in with the Cobras bowled out in the 70th over.
The Cobras set 181, skipper Jace Field was the best of the batsmen with 60, while Gulls’ Kaden Finlay-Smith secured 5/49.
D GRADE
Despite a sturdy half-century to Aura Vale’s Chris Mahony, the Lakers are up against it in their clash against Kooweerup.
The Demons sent the Lakers in to bat at Cora Lynn, and despite a fighting 53 from Mahony, the visitors were rolled for just 137, with seamer Tom Cairns snaring 5/21 from 15 overs.
Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll is another side that will need to do a lot right to claim victory against the Carlisle Park Vikings.
Batting first, the Vikings amassed 119 in 48 overs, with Ashley Bailey bowling superbly to finish with the impressive figures of 4/38 from 24 overs.
At stumps, the Marygoon are in deep trouble at 5/15 off 19 overs.
In the only other game to get a start, the clash between Emerald (9/114) and Lang Lang (1/24) is evenly-poised.
Cranbourne Meadows and Clyde’s clash was washed out on day one.
E GRADE
There was little cricket in E Grade on Saturday, with the clash between Tooradin and Merinda Park one of only two matches to get a start.
Down at Rutter Park, the Cobras had a bat first, and despite losing a couple of early wickets, the visitors managed to recover and post 177, before being bowled out in 69 overs. Ben Vincent backed up his 6/8 last week with another commanding display, snaring 3/27 for the Seagulls, while Rob Wilson (34) top scored for the Cobras from the top-order.
Down at Heatherbrae, Gembrook and Officer were able to squeeze in 29 overs.
The Brookers skipped to 4/80 before stumps was called, with rain settling in thereafter.
Day one of Pakenham’s clash against Devon Meadows, as well as Cranbourne Meadows and Pakenham Upper Toomuc were washed out.
F GRADE
Devon Meadows and Pakenham are locked in a closely-fought, low-scoring encounter at Junction Village.
With 14 wickets taken on the opening day, runs were hard to come by with the weather constantly looming.
The Panthers were sent in to bat, and rolled for just 60 in 35 overs, with Michael Griffiths (5/19) weaving some magic for the Lions.
The Lions had their fair share of troubles with the blade in response, grinding their way to 4/39 from 32 overs, but skipper Paul Hart is digging in to remain 12 not out at stumps.
Down at Donnelly Recreation Reserve, Merinda Park and Cardinia got in just over an hour of cricket.
The Bulls were 0/57 at stumps, with skipper Chris Remy unbeaten on 31, continuing his strong start to the season.
And the clash between Carlisle Park Vikings and Lang Lang is delicately poised at stumps.
The Swamp Tigers scrounged their way to 105 off just a tick over 36 overs, with Ryan Frazer contributing a vital 53 from the top-of-the- order.
Cooper Gray was absolutely brilliant for the Vikings, snaring 6/12 from 7.1 outstanding overs.
The Swamp Tigers did manage to find a few wickets before lunch, with the Vikings 2/48 off 18 overs.
The opening day between Officer and Clyde was abandoned.
