Tooradin flags new era

TOORADIN won two epic grand finals over the weekend, both by a narrow margin.
In Sub-District it defeated Beaconsfield by two wickets in a great game of cricket and in C Grade it beat Officer by four runs to make it back-to-back flags after winning D grade last season.
Beaconsfield won the toss and batted in Sub-District and was dismissed for 143 in the 73rd over.
Tooradin had Beaconsfield 9/107 before Rhys Miller and Matt O’Connor added 36 runs to also reach 143. Matt Finch took 4/28 from 21 overs, veteran Rick Holland 3/43 (22 overs) and leg spinner Rory Alder bowled an amazing spell of 25 overs straight to take 2/55 including six maidens.
Michael Ralph had a direct run-out and Matt Finch held two great slip catches.
Tooradin was 0/6 overnight and had two run-outs to be 2/18 from 14 overs b efore the experienced Matt Walker joined Sean Baker for a 66-run partnership and swing the game back Tooradin’s way.
Walker was bowled for an excellent 53 (eight fours) and at tea Tooradin was 3/89. Sean Baker went for a patient 42 in 61 overs and Tooradin then lost 4/24 to be 8/138 when Sam Clarke went for a well made 19.
Beaconsfield was well in the match when Matt Finch joined Rick Holland. Together they saw Tooradin home when Matt Finch smashed a straight drive for four to stay seven not out with “Dutchy” Holland two not out.
The Tivendale medal for the best player went to Matt Finch.
C Grade
Tooradin won the toss and batted on a slow ground at Tooradin. It batted out its overs for 9/140 from 70 overs.
The innings was held together by Grant Kernot who topscored with 56. Other useful contributions came from opener Peter Stone’s 21, Greg Bethune’s 18 and Andrew Sparks’s 10. Adam Richmond looked dangerous but was run out for 13.
Tooradin started well with Dale Bethune capturing one opener with the score on three. At tea Officer had progressed to 2/53 from 34 overs.
Wickets to the dangerous Kevin Quinn and Tony Smith saw Officer reach 4/66 and wickets kept falling with Officer slumping to 7/93.
A good partnership took the score to 8/130 when Gary Tivendale was dismissed by Greg Bethune.
With overs to spare Officer then lost two wickets to run-outs – Brett Murray and Andrew Sparkes featured in the run-outs to Peter O’Hare and Greg Bethune – and was all out for 136 for Tooradin to scrape home by four runs.
Best bowling figures were Dale Bethune 3/35, Greg Bethune 2/35, Peter O’Hare 3/46 and skipper Darren Mantel 0/11 off eight overs.
Man of the match was Grant Kernot for his 56 runs on a slow ground.
Tooradin Presentation Day will be Sunday 11 April at noon at the Tooradin and District Sports Club.