By Hayley Wildes
WGCA LOWER GRADES
REVIEW – SEMI-FINALS
B GRADE
The top-placed Officer just got over the line against Carlisle Park in their semi-final clash. The Bullants won the toss, elected to have a bowl and had the Vikings in all sorts early at 3/24.
Sean Hinkley (2/28) and Dean Perrow (2/20) were in blistering form early and Carlisle Park never recovered, dismissed for just 97 runs in the 54th over. Garry Godfrey (31) was the lone Viking to make over 15 runs.
In reply, Officer was made to work for win as Dean Lyddy (3/31) took early wickets to have the Bullants struggling at 5/19.
In desperate need of a steadying partnership, Wayne Duke (29) and Darren Kneebone (36 not out) combined for an important 40-run stand. Still needing 39 runs for victory, it was Kneebone and eventually Daniel Irvine (12 not out) who led the Officer home with a total of 8/101 in 42 overs.
Cranbourne Meadows booked its ticket to the grand final with a strong win over Devon Meadows.
The Panthers elected to bat first and with Darren O’Brien (71 not out) leading the way, posted a total of 5/195. Despite others getting strong starts, O’Brien was the sole batsmen to score over 23 runs.
Munish Mahajan (4/61) was in fine form with the ball for the Rebels.
In reply, Cranbourne Meadows chased down the required runs for the loss of just three wickets in 57 overs.
Officer and Cranbourne Meadows will meet in the grand final at Officer Recreation Reserve on Saturday and Sunday in what should be a ripping contest.
C GRADE
Pakenham Upper/Toomuc went in raging favourites against Clyde in their semi-final clash, but the Cougars had other ideas and took it right up to the Yabbies.
Pakenham Upper/Toomuc won the toss and elected to bat. Despite opener Blake McGrath (54) anchoring the innings, others fell around him as the Yabbies struggled to deal with Nicholas Miles (4/15) and Stuart Williams (4/62).
The Cougars dismissed the Yabbies for 134 runs in the 51st over to take control of the game.
Defending a small total, Pakenham Upper/Toomuc’s bowlers got straight to work and had Clyde reeling at 5/21.
A stirring knock from Nicholas Miles (62) almost got the Cougars home, but with Nicholas Braham (4/32) and Blake McGrath (3/37) bowling well, the Cougars fell short of pulling off an unlikely win, dismissed for 114 runs in the 49th over.
Pakenham claimed a strong win over Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll after a brilliant knock from opener Jackson Myers (83).
Myers was sublime from the outset, hitting 11 boundaries and helping lift the Lions total to 181. Josh Atkinson (5/59) did it all for the Marygoons.
In reply, Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll simply couldn’t deal with the bowling trio of Brock Callaghan-Height (3/29), Dale McCraw (3/38) and Terry Smith (3/47). With the Lions taking crucial wickets in the big moments, the Marygoons were dismissed for 146.
The C Grade grand final will see Pakenham Upper/Toomuc host Pakenham at Pakenham Upper Recreation Reserve on Saturday and Sunday.
D GRADE
Fourth placed Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll pulled off a major upset, defeating the top placed Victorian Vikings in their semi-final clash.
The Vikings sent the Marygoons in to bat first and with Kanishka Wickramanayake (3/15) and Dhanoshan Arjuna (3/26) bowling strongly, Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll was restricted to just 142 runs.
In reply, the Marygoons – defending a small total – were ruthless, ending the Vikings season as they dismissed the Victorian Vikings for just 124 runs.
In a high-scoring affair, Merinda Park batted brilliantly against Kooweerup to come away with an impressive win.
The Demons won the toss, elected to bat and with strong contributions from Scott Gray (60), skipper Hayden Watson (49) and Will Selleck (48), posted a commanding total of 231 in 67 overs.
The partnership between Gray and Watson was a masterful one as the pair combined for a 97-run stand. Whilst that partnership was top shelf cricket, Kanwaljit Handa (7/53) delivered 14 near-perfect overs in a stunning display of bowling.
Needing plenty of runs, the Cobras got straight to work as opener Chris Smith (58) anchored the innings early.
When he was dismissed, Merinda Park stood at 4/167 – a strong position, but far from home. Mark Thomas (78 not out) and Martin Donaldson (27) ensured the Cobras claimed the win, guiding the team home for the loss of four wickets in the 64th over.
At Donnelly Reserve, Merinda Park and Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll will battle it out for D Grade glory this weekend.
E GRADE
A boil over in E Grade action saw the top placed Cranbourne Meadows fall to Pakenham Upper/Toomuc. The Yabbies elected to bat first and found themselves in a strong position after openers Brett Carey (59 not out) and Ben Clough (47) combined for a 77-run partnership.
Stuart Langley (62 not out) ensured the scoreboard kept ticking over as he and Carey combined for a brilliant 128-run stand to push Pakenham Upper/Toomuc’s total to 4/227.
The Rebels had plenty of work to do in reply and ultimately fell short, despite the best efforts of Brodie Matthews (54) and Brett Richards (54).
Stuart Langley’s three-over spell was a match-winning effort, finishing with the figures of 3/8 to help dismiss the Rebels for 207 – 21 runs short of victory.
Clyde successfully defended its total of 150 against Tooradin. After the Seagulls sent the Cougars into bat, Tooradin looked in the box seat as Jack Mannix (4/21) bowled well.
Chasing a small total, the Seagulls struggled to string partnerships together as Wes Smith (4/43) took key wickets. The Seagulls were dismissed for just 104 runs in the 72nd over.
Clyde will host Pakenham Upper/Toomuc at Clyde Recreation Reserve in the E Grade decider this weekend.
F GRADE
Cardinia finished atop the F Grade ladder, but it mattered little on the weekend as Pakenham stormed past the Bulls.
The Lions elected to bat first and were in disarray early at 2/1 as both openers – Paul Hart (0) and Shadab Anwer (0) – fell for ducks. The likes of Hiren Patel (77) and Jayden Vela (30) made valuable contributions to steady the ship and Pakenham posted a total of 189.
Branden Thompson (3/29) and Chris Remy (3/40) bowled superbly for Cardinia.
In reply, the Bulls also struggled early as Hiren Patel (4/38) backed up his fantastic batting display with fierce bowling. Skipper Chris Remy (58 not out) tried to keep Bulls in the game, but it wasn’t enough as Cardinia was dismissed for 167. Marcus Martini (3/37) was impressive for Pakenham.
Catani made light work of Devon Meadows to book its place in the decider. The Cats were sent into bat and despite only making 163 runs, the win was never in doubt as their bowlers took over.
Defending 163, the Cats restricted the Panthers to just 58 runs, with only Brad Williams (30) making over four runs. Nathan Wade (3/20) and Cameron Wagstaff (3/20) were impressive for the Cats.
The F Grade decider will see Catani host Pakenham at Catani Recreation Reserve on Saturday and Sunday.
