WGCA DISTRICT DIVISION
REVIEW – ROUND 7 (Day One)
By Nick Creely
WITH very little separating the top six sides in this year’s District division, every run, every wicket and every ball counts.
This week, some batting sides found it difficult to score, as the pressure intensifies in the crucial period before Christmas.
Devon Meadows have punished a disappointing Tooradin side, banking first innings points at Glover Recreation Reserve.
The Seagulls elected to bat, and after a horror start, including the loss of star opener Kane Latham (0) second ball of the match, couldn’t quite recover, limping their way to just 112 off 36.1 overs.
Panthers champ Matthew Hutchinson (6/23) was in fine touch, removing the top three batsmen early in the piece, before returning later to remove the dangerous Seagulls skipper Ben Mantel (26).
The Panthers were then flawless with the bat, as Lucas Carroll (82no) and Brad Miles (77no) lifted them to an imposing 2/216 at stumps.
Kalgidhar continues to electrify with the bat, and this time has whacked 7/374 in their clash with Cranbourne Meadows at Lawson Poole Reserve.
After the loss of an early wicket, Kalgidhar steadied, and then accelerated, as Veerpatap Singh (113) broke through for a glorious hundred after failing in each of his innings previous.
Singh was well backed up by Manoj De Rose (57), Rupinder Singh (60), Pardeep Singh (38) and Simran Mann (25), who often made batting look easy against a side that has been rather controversial all season.
Rebels bowlers Chris Hauselberger, Tom Smith and Adrian Savage all took two wickets apiece.
It is going to be a tough ask for the Rebels, who are languishing near the bottom of the table and will now need to make their highest score in years to win.
Clyde is in a strong position over Officer, in what was a highly intense day one clash at Officer Recreation Reserve.
The Bullants sent the Cougars in to bat, and despite some solid contributions from John Simpson (47), Shane Webster (35) and Nick Miles (32), couldn’t find a way to make a big score, bowled out for 182 off 69.4 overs.
Bullants duo David Collins (4/57) and Adam Reid (2/33) were consistent as usual, while Jack Langley (2/33) and Peter Quinn (1/15) were strong with the ball.
With just seven overs in the day to bat, the Bullants capitulated, losing 3/7, as Nick Sadler (3/2) ripped apart the top-order.
Ash Smith (4) was able to survive until stumps, and will resume next week with Billy Carlyle (2) at the other end.
And finally, Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll and Carlisle Park have fought out a tough day of cricket, in a match set to go down to the wire.
The Marygoons elected to bat, as Brannon Harrison (42), Nick Bransgrove (38) and some late contributions from Kayne Somers (15) lifted them to 152 off 64 overs.
But the Vikings were excellent with the ball, as Ammar Bajwa (5/49) continued his strong season with the ball, while David Nutting (2/8) took some late wickets.
In what was a highly intense hour before stumps, the Vikings were left quaking, losing three quick wickets to be left at 3/15 at stumps.
Daniel Glen (2/10) and Sean Somers (1/5) were on song early with the ball for the Marygoons.
