By Nick Creely
WGCA OTHERS
REVIEW – ROUND 12
DISTRICT
Devon Meadows batsman Lucas Ligt has built into what has been a fruitful season, and the Panther went to another level with a barnstorming century against Kooweerup on Saturday.
Ligt is a class player, and will continue to be one of the main threats as the Panthers aim for some silverware in the coming weeks.
Batting first at Denhams Road on Saturday, the Panthers racked up 5/232 from its 40 overs, sparked by a run-a-ball 123 from the opener, sending 14 fours to the fence and a further two over it in an utterly dominant display.
It comes off the back of scores of 55, 66 and 35 in recent weeks.
He’s literally the definition of peaking at the right time.
Adding to that, it was his first century since the 2018/19 season with Cranbourne, where he punched out an unbeaten 103 in the DDCA.
Jakeb McVicar (29) was also important for the Panthers, combining for a 106-run stand opening up with Ligt.
But the Demons gave it their all, and very nearly pulled off a remarkable chase, bowled out for 226 with five balls to spare.
The chase was sparked by excellent knocks from Cody Miller (50) and Stephen Johnson (41), but in the end, the class of champ Lucas Carroll (4/36) proved the difference in the end.
Carlisle Park Vikings had little trouble against Emerald with the ladder-leaders continuing on its merry way.
The Vikings were disciplined with ball in hand, with the Bombers starting brightly to put on 46 for the first wicket, before being bundled out for 117.
The home team were incredibly even across the board, with four bowlers registering two wickets.
While both openers quickly vanished in the chase, steadying hands from Michael Sinclair (24), Anurudhdha Fonseka (28 not out), and Praveen Perera (33 not out) ensured the Vikings would chase the total with six wickets still left in the shed.
Down at Officer Recreation Reserve, Officer defeated Pakenham Upper Toomuc in a vitally important game of cricket.
The Bullants were sent in, and racked up 7/169 from its 40 overs, with Brett Monagle doing the bulk of the damage with a fine 44.
While skipper Sahan Wijeratne (41 not out) did his best to keep the Yabbies in it, the discipline of the Bullants proved too great, with the visitors falling narrowly short on 7/164.
In the final match of the round, Cardinia (3/80) defeated Clyde (79) at E Gunton Oval.
SUB-DISTRICT
Nyora are well and truly in the mix for finals after a crunch win against Officer.
The Maroons batted superbly – sparked by Daniel Esler (73) – to post a hefty 9/213 off 40 overs.
Daniel Irvine (3/24) was superb once more for the Bullants.
Despite its best efforts, the Bullants couldn’t quite get the job done, battling hard to finish on 9/197 from 40 overs, with the work of seamer Neil Clark (3/33) one of the big factors in the Maroons’ win.
Cranbourne Meadows, meanwhile, were in a dominant mood against Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll at James Bathe Reserve.
The Marygoons posted 175 after winning the toss and batting, with Rebel openers Brodie Matthews (68 not out) and Jasmeet Virdi (62) ensuring the visitors would win comfortably with only the loss of three wickets.
In the final match of the round, Tooradin (8/156) got the better of Pakenham (110) at Toomuc Recreation Reserve.
Lang Lang had the bye
B GRADE
Tooradin enjoyed a stunning day at the office, thrashing Carlisle Park Vikings at Rutter Park.
The Seagulls bowled a treat, restricting the Vikings to just 63, with Tadhg O’Riordan (4/12) and Liam Simpson (4/25) completely dominant.
While it was a less than ideal start to the run chase, with the Seagulls losing a wicket off the first ball of the innings, it managed to recover from 3/13 to win by seven wickets, with Tim Lenders contributing 36 not out.
Pakenham Upper Toomuc, meanwhile, got the better of Clyde in a thriller at Harry Blackman Oval.
The Cougars batted first, and were in early strife before a fine knock from Coby Hodgson (58 not out) lifted the visitors to 159.
Yabbie Bailey Smith produced an excellent bowling performance, snaring 3/33 from his eight overs.
Despite plenty of twists and turns, and some class bowling from Beau Hawkins (4/23), the Yabbies – courtesy of a clutch hand from Mark Johnson (33 not out) got the job done with three wickets left to spare.
Merinda Park also got in on the winning act, knocking over Devon Meadows at Glover Reserve.
The Panthers batted first, and were treated to a classy innings from Mitchell Kleinig (65), who helped lift the home team to a competitive 7/167 from its 40 overs.
But Cobras opener Chris Smith (50) had a win in mind, anchoring the chase superbly, and combined with vital knocks from Dylan Hand (36 not out) and Pawan Thind (33), managed to snare the victory by five wickets.
In the final game of the round, Emerald (7/179) produced an excellent effort to defeat Cardinia (178) at Chandler Reserve.
C GRADE
A stunning bowling performance from Pakenham has inspired the Lions to a barnstorming victory against Merinda Park.
Sent into bat, the Cobras were shell-shocked to be rolled for just 45, with Luke Brennan (4/8) and John Hutchinson (4/7) proving virtually unplayable in the dominant performance.
There was a few nervous moments when the Lions fell to 2/2, but recovered nicely to bank an eight-wicket win.
Lang Lang, meanwhile, clawed its way to victory against Gembrook.
The Swamp Tigers were in fine form with balln in hand, send the Brookers in and tumbling them out for just 109 despite a strong knock from opener Dean McPherson (35).
It was Aaren Corrin that was the standout for the Swampies, snaring 3/25 from eight overs. Nadeera Fernando (3/2) was also vital with the ball.
It took a fine knock from Shane McLean (49 not out) to guide the Swamp Tigers home by five wickets after coming in at 3/34.
And Officer held off Cranbourne Meadows in a thrilling clash at Lawson Poole Recreation Reserve.
The Bullants posted 134 from its 40 overs, and were helped largely by a terrific half-century from Darren Kneebone (52).
While the Rebels stayed in the contest and always looked like they could swoop in and clinch the match, the Bullants managed to find the wickets required to dismiss the home team for 119.
In the final game of the round, Upper Beaconsfield (5/124) got the points against Kooweerup (123).
D GRADE
There was plenty of reason to smile for Officer on Saturday, with the Bullants producing an epic bowling performance against Nyora.
In incredible scenes, the home team bundled out the Maroons for just 21, in 23.2 overs of remarkable bowling.
Garry Tivendale was the man to really cash in, snaring 3/6, while Noah Parraga was also impressive to take 2/11. The Bullants were also helped by run-outs in a golden 90 minutes of cricket for the team.
Extras were the top-scorer for the Bullants in the chase, with 15 extras helping the home side run down the total in just eight overs.
Clyde, meanwhile, were in top form against Emerald at Worrell Reserve.
Brett Whittingham crunched a classy 70 as the visitors racked up 7/185 from its 40 overs, with Seb Mueller-Schmuki (4/25) doing his best to keep the runs down.
Carlisle Park Vikings did enough to claim the points against Gembrook at the Hunt Club Oval.
In a largely tough innings, the Vikings finished with 8/116, but it was skipper Mike Chapman (50) that led the way with an outstanding knock.
The Brookers were well set for victory after racking 29 for the first wicket, but collapsed through the middle to be rolled for 99, with Gurpreet Mall (5/26) an absolute menace.
In the final game of the round, Cardinia (6/131) defeated Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll (126).
E GRADE
Devon Meadows banked an 18-run win against Tooradin at Junction Village.
It was even across the board for the Panthers, who racked up an impressive 6/186 off 40 overs, with four players scoring 20 or more, while each batsmen reached double-figures.
The Seagulls battled hard to stay in the contest, largely through a cracking knock from Adam Splatt (68) but were rolled for 168 with four balls left to spare.
At Nar Nar Goon, Pakenham Upper Toomuc put together an excellent performance against the Marygoons.
The Marygoons put together a solid total, finishing on 9/169, but some excellent bowling from Stu Langley (4/12) ensured the target was well within reach.
The Yabbies cruised to victory by seven wickets, with Johno Sherer (65 not out) leading the way with a starring knock.
And Officer dominated its clash with Merinda Park.
The Bullants batted beautifully to post 9/219, with Blake Henderson starring with 65, but a stunning bowling effort from Josh Hargreaves (6/45) led the way for the Cobras.
But the home side couldn’t muster up enough momentum, restricted to 7/107 from 40 overs.
In the final game of the round, Pakenham (2/175) defeated Cranbourne Meadows.
F GRADE
A huge century from Tim Miller has guided Lang Lang to victory against Carlisle Park Vikings.
After the Vikings posted 7/140, Miller crunched a stunning 108 as the Swamp Tigers ran down the total with four wickets to spare.
Devon Meadows Red, meanwhile, was a class above Upper Beaconsfield.
The Panthers set the tone – largely through Antony Scott (67) – to post 4/158 from its 40 overs.
The Maroons were never really in the chase, with the Panthers restricting the visitors to 8/109 in reply, with Rob Worsteling (4/13) in fine form.
It was also a big day for Devon Meadows White, who got the points against Cardinia at Lakeside.
The Bulls posted 6/148 with Ash Jones leading the way with a vital 62 not out from the middle order.
But the Panthers were clinical, racing down the runs with eight wickets to spare. Darren O’Brien’s standout season continued with another strong knock, this time 54 not out.
In the other matches, Clyde Gold (4/184) knocked over Cranbourne Meadows (175), Clyde Green (1/147) was too good for Pakenham Upper Toomuc (6/146), and Emerald (5/160) got the points against Kooweerup (8/124).
Pakenham had the bye.
