By Russell Bennett
WGCA PREMIER DIVISION
REVIEW – ROUND 14 (DAY TWO)
As far as statements go, Tooradin’s on Saturday against Pakenham was particularly telling.
It’s not that the Gulls ultimately won so convincingly – by seven wickets – but it’s that they showed no sign of nerves creeping in against one of the competition’s two proven heavyweights over recent seasons.
Both the Lions and Gulls had solidified finals positions long before Saturday, but their Round 14 clash was all about claiming a vital top two spot – and a home final.
The Tooradin and Pakenham home grounds are vastly different in their dimensions, with one shorter straight down the ground, and the other shorter square of the wicket.
Crucially though, with less than ideal weather predicted in the coming days, a top two spot could cement a clear path through to the grand final if – unlikely as it is – the weekend’s play is washed out.
The Lions set the Gulls a testing 238 for victory on day two, but the home side was led brilliantly in its reply by gun all-rounder Russ Lehman and experienced top-order bat Matt Cox, whose 157-run stand made up the bulk of its successful chase (3/240 in the 75th over).
It wasn’t all smooth sailing though, particularly in the early going.
With the injured Jack Ryan missing from Pakenham’s already depleted seam bowling attack, Chris Smith took the new ball with Sean Gramc and the pair maintained a tight line and length early.
It wasn’t long before Dale Tormey (1/58 from his 23 overs) and Jason Williams (1/85 from 21.3) entered the equation, and both did so with quick results.
Tormey claimed Josh Lownds, who chopped on for seven, while Williams’ flight got Gulls skipper Cal O’Hare lunging forward, only to be stumped by Rob Elston.
After losing two early scalps, Lehman and Cox knuckled down – hell-bent on being there for the long-haul.
Their partnership didn’t contain any real fireworks early, but the expansive strokes came as the innings progressed.
To put it simply – they didn’t panic, as so many opposition sides so often do when they come up against the likes of Pakenham or Kooweerup.
The Gulls were sitting on just 2/50 off 30 overs, but in the next 20 overs – either side of tea – Cox was given two genuine lives, first a drop at slip when he was on 23, and then another at square leg when he’d started to accelerate to 62.
What could so easily have been 3/59 ultimately became 3/180 as Cox and Lehman flourished.
Whether it was square drives, booming sweeps, or shots straight down the ground – either lofted, or along the deck – the pair of them showcased it all as the Lions looked short of answers.
Much of the talk this season has rightfully centred around the performances of Lions champion Dale Tormey, and his incredible campaign with the willow in particular.
But Lehman’s 2019/20 season has been no less spectacular.
He’s long been the competition’s class all-rounder, and that has shown no signs of dissipating this year as he’s produced starring role after starring role with both bat and ball.
His unbeaten ton on Saturday (101) had it all – patience, concentration, and ruthless efficiency – as he guided the Gulls home.
Cox (89) fell just 11 runs shy of his own richly-deserved century, but Neil Peake (35 not out) continued where he left off as soon as he strode to the crease, and ensured he was there with Lehman when the winning runs were struck.
There was much to take away from the contest for the Lions, who could have maintained much more pressure on the Gulls had they been just a little sharper in the field, but this was potentially a huge confidence-boost for the home side, which will host Pakenham again in this weekend’s semi-final.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Cardinia (151) was unable to finish its season on a high – falling frustratingly short of Cranbourne Meadows’ 185 at E. Gunton Oval.
In what has been a recurring theme for the Bulls all season, they lost a series of wickets at inopportune times in an eventful chase, with Josh Grogan and Travis Welsh top-scoring with 29 and 27 respectively and Rebels bowler Tom Smith jagging 5/50 from his 26 overs.
Clyde, meanwhile, received a much-needed confidence boost ahead of its do-or-die semi-final against Kooweerup with a comfortable win at home over the relegation-bound Devon Meadows.
Defending their 213 from day one, the Cougars rolled the Panthers for 135 in 56 overs with Lucas Ligt (35) the only visiting batsman to pass 30.
Brett Reid snared an impressive 5/14 for the Cougars, while Liam Bennett (2/21) and Pat Lawson (2/28) were also amongst the wickets, but they’ll need to fire again this week for their side to be a chance of toppling the might of the Demons.
Finally, as expected, Merinda Park was absolutely no match for Kooweerup at Denhams Road, with the home side effectively using its chase as batting practice.
Tyler Clark (57) and skipper Mark Cooper (103) put on a commanding 106-run opening stand, with their side chasing just 126 for victory, while Steve Dillon (23), Jess Mathers (22), Riley Clark (18), Chris O’Hara (12), Luke McMaster (43), and Nathan Voss (35) each got double-digit starts as the Demons ultimately amassed 327.
