Eagles continue dominant form

Callan Tout sends one down for Beaconsfield. 225294

By Nick Creely

DDCA TURF 2 AND TURF 3

REVIEW – ROUND 6

TURF 2

The Cranbourne train just keeps rolling on.

Mick Sweeney’s Eagles picked up exactly where they left at the end of 2020, registering a completely dominant win against Beaconsfield away from home on Saturday.

Coming up against the second-placed Tigers, the ladder-leaders were in a spot of bother after winning the toss and batting, but managed to find a way to claw to 9/145, with Sweeney (23) and Martin Kelly (21 not out) providing handy runs.

Callan Tout was once again prominent with the ball, with the Tigers seamer snaring 3/24 from his 12 overs.

Despite resistance from experienced opener Michael Vandort (37), who is almost nearing 300 runs for the season already, the likes of young gun Trishane De Silva (3/5), spinner Pete Sweeney (3/16) and Jordan Margenberg (2/41) ensured the home side would be rolled for just 86.

The win leaves the Eagles three points clear on top of the Turf 2 table, with the Tigers still within touching distance in second.

It was also a strong day of cricket down at Greaves Reserve from Parkfield, brushing aside Dandenong West.

The Parkers were well served by an entertaining 51 from opener Matt Goodier, posting 7/173 with Travis D’Souza (37) also doing some fine work through the middle order.

Westers veteran Peter Atkinson snared 3/42 from his 12 overs to keep his consistent season going.

The home side were then undone by a brilliant spell of bowling from Dishan Malalasekera (4/23) and a terrific supporting act from Nico Jeffery (3/37) to fall short on 135, despite some late hitting from the dangerous Gurpreet Singh (33).

Parkmore Pirates struck perhaps the first major surprise of 2021, completely dismantling Narre Warren at home.

The Pirates sit just outside the top-four, and on Saturday rolled the Magpies for just 51 after a whirlwind start with the new ball as Arune Suganthirakumar (4/10) and skipper Ashwin Nash (3/6) ran amok.

Interestingly, none of the visitors’ top six reached double figures, with number seven, eight and nine managing to reach that score.

It took just 11.2 overs for the home side to race the runs down, with the loss of just three wickets.

And in the final game of the round, Lyndale was a class above Narre North.

The Dales were well served by Farazur Rahman (52) after winning the toss and batting, overcoming a shaky start to post 9/141. Skipper Ben Montgomery also provided 32 timely runs.

A strong bowling performance – led superbly by quick Zubair Faruk (5/24) – saw the home side rolled for just 73 in 32.5 overs.

TURF 3

Keysborough has issued a strong statement after the New Year that it is a side well and truly in the premiership by knocking over fellow finals fancy Fountain Gate.

The Knights were sent in to bat, with skipper Jackson O’Brien (78) leading from the front in a brilliant opening partnership with Jacob Hennigan (44).

Despite a fightback from the Gators leaving the home side 3/100, the Knights raced to 7/207 from its 40 overs, with Yohan Arumadura (39) slashing some handy runs.

It was a virtual lone hand from recruit Rumesh Rangana, who whacked 64, but the Gators were rolled for just 117 with no other batsmen able to reach double figures.

All-rounder Christo Otto (3/21) was the pick of the bowlers for the Knights, who now sit in second spot on the Turf 3 table.

Ladder-leaders Springvale banked yet another victory to remain undefeated, this time brushing aside Lynbrook at Marriott Waters.

The visitors scrambled its way to 145 from 39 overs with Nuwan Mendis continuing his golden form with 48, to go with recent scores of 52, 46, 64 and 69 after scoring a duck in his opening innings of the season. Varun Singh (4/53) led the way with the ball for the Lakers.

Despite plenty of fight from the Lakers, the visitors restricted them to just 8/137, only eight runs adrift with the ladder leaders showing terrific discipline with the ball.

Coomoora did some fine work against Berwick Springs, dominating the clash to continue its stunning rise up the ladder.

The Roos were chasing just 80 for victory after holding the Titans to 79 with seamer Avisha Wilwalaarachchi (3/5) proving almost unplayable.

A little stumble in the chase didn’t halter the momentum, with the Roos running away with a six-wicket win thanks to a solid 26 not out from batsman Dylan Jacotine.

In the final game of the round, Silverton inflicted Doveton with a tough loss at Robinson Reserve.

The Bakers scored 9/149 from its 40 overs with top order gun Selva Tharaka (46) once again in the runs to lead the way, but with the ball Adam Read did some fine work to snare 3/39.

The Doves lost a steady stream of wickets to fall out of the contest early, rolled for just 75 with Dylan Hayes (3/12) bowling superbly with the new ball.