By Julian Bayard
THE top four clubs in the WGCA’s District Division has now been set, with the last round of the season set to determine the final placings.
Emerald cemented its position in the final four, despite a serious scare against Nyora at Nyora Recreation Reserve.
Chasing the Maroons’ total of 167, Emerald slumped to 6/82 when Kelvin Toogood picked up four quick wickets to send a scare through the Bombers’ camp.
However, as he has done on several occasions this season, Emerald skipper Clinton Marsh saw his side to victory, combining with Mark Alenson for a 62-run partnership, of which Marsh scored 50 runs, including five boundaries and two sixes.
Alenson went on to score a patient 75, with Emerald eventually being dismissed for 209 from 66.2 overs.
Kelvin Toogood picked up the excellent figures of 4/46 from 17 overs, while Paul Pattison also bowled well to take 2/13 from 5.2 overs.
Merinda Park showed why it’s one of the premiership favourites for the District Division with a crushing victory against Pakenham, scoring 5/343 from 76 overs in reply to the Lions’ 208.
It was a memorable day for the Cobras, with both Mark Rawson and Leigh Paterson scoring centuries.
Rawson smashed 142 runs for his side, while Paterson scored an equally good 100 not-out, highlighting the depth of the Merinda Park side.
The Cobras take on top-of-the-table Upper Beaconsfield in the final round in a match that will decide the minor premiership.
At Upper Beaconsfield, the Maroons survived a massive scare against Devon Meadows to win by just two wickets, with an eighth-wicket partnership of 39 runs between Scott Pitcher (26 not-out) and Paul Matthews (14 not-out) guiding the home side to victory.
Earlier, both tight and consistent bowling from the experienced Panthers’ attack had the Maroons in all sorts of trouble at 5/88, before Daniel Brennan (39 runs) and Luke Pitcher (37 runs) steadied the ship.
Both Peter Zauner (2/48 from 22 overs) and Lucas Carroll (3/18 from 13 overs) bowled superbly for the Panthers, who will be more than making up the numbers in the finals.
Kilcunda-Bass ensured it did not end the 2009/2010 season without a win, knocking off fifth-placed Clyde by 87 runs at Bass Recreation Reserve.
Defending 220, the Sharks dismissed the Cougars for just 133 from 48 overs, with both Dean Pipicelli and James Mahood taking four wickets.
Shane Jack (33 runs) and Joel Avard (28 runs) were the only notable batsmen on a disappointing day for Clyde.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:SUB-DISTRICT DIVISION
A fighting century from St Francis Xavier Old Collegians (SFX) batsman Chris Shepherdson wasn’t enough to see his side gain victory against Tooradin, falling short by three runs in a thrilling match.
In a match that SFX needed to win in order to keep its finals hopes alive, the Saints were bowled out for 214, chasing the top-placed Seagulls’ 217.
For Tooradin, Sam Clarke, Richard Holland and Aaron Brooks all took two wickets in a memorable victory.
Lyndhurst proved to be too strong in its contest against Cranbourne Meadows, with the Vikings easily chasing down the Rebels’ total of 174, reaching 219 from 70 overs before being dismissed.
For Lyndhurst, Adam Baumgartner was the pick of the batsman with 60 runs, while Shane White bowled superbly for the Rebels to take 5/39 from 19 overs.
Beaconsfield inflicted an outright victory over its opponent Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll at Perc Allison Reserve, with the Marygoons being dismissed for just 99 and 117, after the Tigers declared their innings closed at 9/248.
For the Tigers, Jason Williams was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4/28 from 14.3 overs.
At Lang Lang, the Swamp Tigers produced a strong batting display against Gembrook, blasting 8/229 from just 34 overs to easily gain victory against Gembrook, with the Brookers’ total of 156 never being enough.
Brian Christensen (65 runs) and Nick Beale (51 runs) were the best of the batsmen for the Swamp Tigers, while Daniel Morris bowled well for Gembrook to take 2/18 from 3.2 overs.
