By Tyler Lewis
WGCA OTHER GRADES
REVIEW – ROUND 5 (DAY ONE)
DISTRICT
There was no play on day one of Round 5 in the District division.
SUB-DISTRICT
The match between Cardinia and Kooweerup sits in the balance at the end of day one, in a day that saw ball dominate the bat.
Kooweerup sent Cardinia in and bundled the Bulls out for 132 in the 54th over – courtesy of the stupendous figures of 5/5 from 8.2 overs, including five maidens, from Andrew Martin who closed the innings swiftly.
Tom Cairns also was a handful with the ball, claiming 3/31 from 12 after his elevation from D Grade last week.
In reply, Dwayne Doig is already up to his usual antics, causing trouble with the new ball.
Not only does the champ have 2/9 from six, he also claimed the other wicket, combining with Brady Boswell for a run out.
The Demons overnight are 3/19 chasing 133.
Tooradin, meanwhile, posted a strong 215 from 75 overs in its clash against Officer.
Jarred Thompson (62) and David Freeman (61) combined for over half of the team’s total in two very impressive knocks.
With the ball, the ever-so-reliable James Quinn was the pick of the bowlers with 2/33 from 13 overs for the Bullants.
Officer will look to hunt down the Gulls’ 215 to claim its first victory of the season.
Lang Lang and Pakenham could only manage the 37 overs of play in on a scattered weekend of cricket.
Pakenham sent the Swamp Tigers in and currently have them 3/81 after 37.
Rajind Dassanyake, as always, is the big wicket. He currently sits 41 not out overnight.
Cranbourne Meadows and Merinda Park did not get any overs in and will be reduced to a one day match this weekend.
B GRADE
Clyde and Carlisle Park were the only two sides to get some play in on Saturday, and even they were reduced to a shorter match.
From its 55 overs so far, Clyde is currently 5/187.
Skipper Ben Reilly snagged his first half-century of the season with 64, while Dean Williams sits unbeaten on 36.
C GRADE
The conditions have saved Merinda Park an early finish, as Pakenham sits in a commanding position having the Cobras 6/75 after 38 overs.
Shannon Mitchell was the pick of the bowlers in his first match of the year with 3/39 from 15 overs.
Tooradin and Cardinia got the entire day’s play in, as Cardinia posted 9/144 from its 70 overs.
Some late fireworks from Grant Ansalde helped the Bulls get to a defendable total, as he whacked 29 with three fours and one maximum.
Tim Huguenin did the damage with the ball, claiming 5/62 from 24 overs, but Adam Jacobs built the pressure early with the extremely tidy figures of 2/12 from 14 including seven maidens.
Chasing down the 145 would see the Gulls knock on the door of the top four.
Officer and Nyora also pushed for a full day’s play, with Nyora in a commanding position at the close of day one.
Officer set 163 from its 57 overs, with skipper Steve Pursell the pick of the batsmen for the Bullants with 39.
With the ball, the experienced Keith Maclure ran riot once again, grabbing 4/45 from 20 overs.
In reply, the Maroons have got off to a blistering start with the bat, sitting 1/40 overnight.
Cranbourne Meadows and Upper Beaconsfield were unable to get on and will play a one day match this weekend.
D GRADE
Kooweerup and Cranbourne Meadows were among the two matches able to get play in on Saturday, even if it was only 39 overs.
The Demons are placed nicely overnight at 3/24. Gloveman Brett Wilson (34 not out) is continuing his run of form, and he is accompanied at the crease by Sam Cole who is on 39 not out. The pair look to be a strong mix at the crease.
Lang Lang and Carlisle Park managed to get 63 overs of play in, with the Swamp Tigers bowled out for 144.
Nick McQualter did the damage with the ball at the end, snaring 3/10 from 10 overs.
The sides currently sit third and fourth on the ladder, and a win to either side will go a long way in securing a finals berth.
Other fixtures between Clyde and Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll, and Emerald and Aura Vale will be reduced to a one day match on the weekend after not getting a single over in.
E GRADE
Devon Meadows have convincingly beaten Cranbourne Meadows at the close of play on day one.
The Rebels won the toss and elected to bat before being bundled out for 68.
Every bowler who bowled for the Panthers claimed a wicket.
In reply, Devon have already chased down the total and currently sit 4/86 after 25 overnight with an outright victory in their sights to cement themselves amidst the top four.
Merinda Park also sits in a strong position against Officer overnight.
The Bullants were bowled out for 158, courtesy of 4/40 from Scott Kunziak.
In reply, the Cobras escaped the late bat unscathed, placed 0/13 overnight.
Gembrook’s clash with Pakenham and Pakenham Upper/Toomuc’s with Tooradin were the two matches that were unable to commence play.
F GRADE
The second-placed Officer flexed its muscles against Devon Meadows, posting 9/251 from its 70 overs on Saturday.
Adam Vangeninden notched a swashbuckling 117 in his side’s dominant display, while for the Panthers Lincoln Hepburn claimed 5/63 from 19 overs.
Carlisle Park and Pakenham, meanwhile, could only manage the 35 overs of play on day one.
The Vikings are in a commanding position at 2/124 with skipper Paul Gray unbeaten on 64.
Cardinia and Clyde got just 40 overs of play in on Saturday at Rythdale.
Cardinia sent Clyde in and have reaped the rewards early, having the Cougars 7/103 overnight.
Lachlan Pickering has the opportunity to clean up with the ball, with 4/27 overnight and three wickets remaining.
Merinda Park claimed victory against Lang Lang with the Swamp Tigers forfeiting.
ONE-DAY
Cranbourne Meadows enjoyed a comfortable victory over Pakenham Upper/Toomuc on Saturday, claiming a 10-wicket win.
The Rebels sent the Yabbies in to bat and bundled them out for 59 in the 30th over, with Craig Grant claiming 4/15.
In reply, The Diss pair (Wayne 31, Darren 22) steered the ship home to a significant win with all 10 wickets in the shed.
Upper Beaconsfield, meanwhile, celebrated a strong win over Pakenham.
The Maroons castled the Lions for 100 in the 33rd over, Josh Trembath the pick of the bowlers with 2/7.
In reply, Upper Beaconsfield reached the target four wickets down in the 19th over to claim its second win of the season.
Emerald and Kooweerup shared the points after their match was abandoned.
