By Julian Bayard
ONE of the most memorable performances in the history of the WGCA was seen in District division at Pakenham’s Toomuc Reserve on Saturday afternoon, with Pakenham scoring 0/339 to overcome Nyora’s total of 334 in just 66 overs.
After a lean season with the bat prior to the match, Pakenham skipper Ben Maroney arrived at the crease with a point to prove, and he went about proving it in one of the most destructive fashions ever seen on a WGCA cricket field.
The Lions’ captain blasted a chanceless 201 not out, hitting 23 boundaries and three sixes to keep his side in with a chance of a finals appearance.
While Maroney was awesome, so was his opening partner Russell Lehman, with the youngster scoring 116 not out in another chanceless innings.
For Nyora, the loss is the Maroons’ third consecutive match without picking up any points, and they play top-side Upper Beaconsfield next week in what could be a must-win match if they are to stay in finals contention.
At Clyde, Upper Beaconsfield proved to be too strong for the Cougars, with the home side being dismissed for just 112 in reply to the Maroons’ total of 173.
Three run outs were seen in the Cougars’ innings, while Upper Beaconsfield left-arm swing bowler Daniel Brennan bowled superbly to take 3/21 from 12 overs.
John Simpson backed up his 75 not out last week to open the bowling and was unlucky not to take a wicket in his eight-over spell, while captain Scott Pitcher took 2/53 from his 16 overs.
Dean Williams was the only Clyde batsman to offer any real resistance to the Maroons’ attack, hitting eight boundaries in his innings of 42.
An inspired spell of bowling from Emerald’s Clinton Marsh ensured the Bombers stayed in touch with the finals, with the fast bowler taking 5/48 from 20.5 overs to help dismiss Devon Meadows for just 155 at Chandler Reserve.
The Panthers were never really in contention to chase down the Bombers’ total of 8/273, with wicket-keeper Peter O’Brien the only player to score over 15 runs, remaining undefeated on 69 when the final wicket fell.
Merinda Park’s batting line-up proved to be too strong for Kilcunda/Bass, with the Cobras scoring 9/224 from 75 overs in reply to the Sharks’ total of 167.
Jess Mathers hit a sensational 92 runs for the visitors to ensure they remained in second place on the District division ladder.
No statistics are available from the Sharks at the time of writing this report.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:SUB-DISTRICT
Lyndhurst strengthened its position in the Sub-District division’s top four after it easily accounted for Lang Lang at Barry Simon Recreation Reserve.
Chasing the Vikings’ total of 301, Lang Lang’s innings never really got going, losing consistent wickets throughout the afternoon to eventually be dismissed for 123.
Only three players from the Swamp Tigers managed to reach double figures, with Sean Hassett’s undefeated innings of 35 being the only real highlight of the day.
For the Vikings, Kristopher Thompson again bowled well to take 4/31 from nine overs, while Heath Straughair continued his good form this season by taking two wickets.
Tooradin cemented its spot at the top of the Sub-District division ladder with a strong victory against Beaconsfield at Perc Allison Oval in Beaconsfield.
Chasing the Tigers’ total of 212, Seagulls’ skipper Kane Latham (68 runs) combined with Sam Clarke (61 not out) for a 115-run seventh-wicket partnership to see their side to victory after looking in trouble at 6/100.
Kyle Wills was the pick of the Tigers’ bowlers with 2/22 from nine overs.
St Francis Xavier Old Collegians (SFX) recovered from a nervous start in its run chase against Gembrook to eventually come away with a four-wicket victory. With the Brookers’ total of 139 in their sights, the Saints slumped to 3/47 and then 5/88 as Will Davis (5/58 from 22 overs) tore through the home side’s top order.
However, a steady innings from Stephen Shepherdson in his first match of the season saw the Saints to victory, with Shepherdson scoring 55 not out as SFX eventually reached 7/208.
An undefeated innings of 80 runs from Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll’s Neil Rankin was insufficient to see the Marygoons to victory in their match against Cranbourne Meadows, with the visitors falling 45 runs short of the Rebels’ score of 295.
Cranbourne Meadows’ young opening bowler Mel Le Gallienne again bowled with pace and accuracy to take 3/68 from 21 overs, while Shane White (3/77 from 18 overs) and Geoff Bradshaw (3/47 from 15.5 overs) also bowled well for the victorious Rebels.
