By David Nagel
The WGCA home-and-away season is done and dusted, with the process of sorting out the contenders from pretenders complete. Gazette Sport Editor Dave Nagel takes a close look at who the players to watch are in this week’s WGCA C Grade semi-finals.
C GRADE
Major Semi-Final
Merinda Park (1) v Upper Beaconsfield (2)
Merinda Park Stats…
Over 100 Runs: Chris Smith 466, Glen Ward 205, Martin Donaldson 197, Brenton Huyskens 191, Craig Robertson 129, Russell Jenkin 127, Michael Coull 112.
Over 10 Wickets: Jamie Smith 17, Brenton Huyskens 16, Brock Jenkins 10.
Upper Beaconsfield Stats…
Over 100 Runs: Josh Westra 374, Josh Trembath 209, Beau Watson 182, Marcus Gehling 160, Simon Bates 129, Peter Brennan 112.
Over 10 Wickets: AJ Claxton 19, Beau Watson 12, Braedyn Bowden 10.
Preview
Merinda Park is flying high at the moment and will look to continue its great form in a home C Grade semi-final against Upper Beaconsfield.
The Cobras have won six on the trot, a streak which began all the way back in round nine against the Maroons.
Opener Chris Smith has been in stunning form this season, while Glen Ward, Marty Donaldson and Brenton Huyskens are others that will look to pile on the runs.
Huyskens and the highly-experienced Jamie Smith have been the keys with the ball, while opener Brock Jenkins can also cause some carnage with the Kooka.
Upper Beaconsfield has timed its run nicely, winning its last three to move into second place on the ladder last weekend.
Josh Westra, Josh Trembath and Beau Watson are more than capable of smashing some quick runs and putting the Cobras under pressure.
And if AJ Claxton can continue his great form, and remove Chris Smith early, the Maroons are in this one right up to their ears.
But it’s the Cobras to make it two-one against the Maroons this season and earn a direct passage through the big one.
Minor Semi-Final
Officer (3) v Gembrook (4)
Officer Stats…
Over 100 Runs: Jayson Dryden 255, David Gibbs 214, Chris Byrne 174, Daryl Hargreaves, Steve Pursell 138, Blake Henderson 122, Aiden Andrews 110, Taj Beddows 101.
Over 10 Wickets: James Quinn 18, Brent Pullen 17, Lachlan James 10.
Gembrook Stats…
Over 100 Runs: Dean McPherson 264, Timmy Gray 260, Jeremy Everett 178, Daniel Tigges 146.
Over 10 Wickets: Matthew Candy 19, Mitchell Candy 14, Willie Davis 13, Dean McPherson 11, Cam Williams 10, Daniel Tigges 10.
Preview
What a fantastic contest this promises to be when Officer rolls out the welcome mat for a red-hot Gembrook.
The Brookers were done and dusted after round six, with just one win on the board and were bobbing up and down with the also rans. But something magical happened…and things turned quicker than a Shane Warne leggie.
The Brookers have since been defeated once – by bottom team Kooweerup in round 12 – and alongside Merinda Park are the form team in the competition.
Dean McPherson, Timmy Gray and Jeremy Everett have bounced back strongly with the willow, while Matt and Mitch Candy, and Willie Davis have been dangerous and crafty with the ball.
Officer would seem ripe for the picking, winning six of its first seven games before struggling in recent times.
The Bullants have won just two of their last six, including a loss to the Brookers in round nine.
Jayson Dryden is a class act with the bat, while James Quinn and Brent Pullen are club stalwarts that won’t be throwing this one away in a hurry.
This is a flip-of-the-coin job…it’s the Bullants to bounce back in a thriller!
