By JARROD POTTER
WGCA District Division – Round 10 (one-day)
BRIGHT lights and big hitting got the tick from Officer and Devon Meadows as the league trialled day-night cricket.
OFFICER v DEVON MEADOWS
A DIFFICULT occasion for the bat, but signs point strongly as cricketers and cricket fans alike embraced the local day-nighter.
Officer (122) started poorly and its top order can’t blame the lights for its horror trot as four scalps fell for just 25 runs as Adam Newstead (2/25) Matt Hutchinson (2/28) ran riot.
The fading light would prove the fitting backdrop for a Bullant renaissance as Peter Quinn (28) and Brayden McHugh (25) made the best of the dull batting performance.
Ben Hussey (3/17) would finish the job as he picked off three middle-order scalps.
The fifty-fifty conditions – half-sunlit by a fading sunset and half floodlit – did not suit any batsmen and the Panthers suffered in the solar haze as wickets fell and fell fast.
The night sky would prove the perfect backdrop for the Officer comeback as Shane White (3/12), Brett Reid (2/25) began their march through the Panther posse.
The last chance arose through Mick Floyd (21no) and Hussey (16) – adding 32 for the ninth wicket. It would be over quickly after Hussey’s pegs were re-arranged with Josh Beets the last out with 21 runs left to garner.
Devon Meadows top scorer, and president, Mick Floyd thought day-nighters could be an interesting way to break up the season, with dusk proving the biggest problem for the match for players.
“I like the concept – the toughest part was batting through dusk – after the sun set but before the lights took effect,” Floyd said.
“Once the lights took over it wasn’t too bad, I actually think it was tougher for the fieldsmen to get a read on it, especially hard hit balls, than it was for the batsmen.
“I’m not sure the spectators could see it all that well either.”
Floyd tipped his cap to the Bullants’ hosting the day-nighter and hoped the concept could gain momentum.
“There was a reasonable crowd there and Officer did a good job trying to make a night of it,” Floyd said.
“There seemed to be a few neutrals (from other clubs) there and anything that gets people to local cricket is a good thing.
“I wouldn’t want to do it every week, but I think it’s an idea that is certainly worth pursuing.”
Devon Meadows hosts St Francis Xavier in the battle of the bottom while Officer heads to Lyndhurst.
PAKENHAM UPPER/TOOMUC v LYNDHURST VIKINGS
A front-line battle between first and second was claimed by the incumbent ladder leaders as the Vikings chased down the Yabbie (8/131) tally.
Stephen Boltong (38) and captain Scott Clark (22) fared best against the Vikings’ attack, but once Clark fell it was slim pickings from there on. Ammar Bajwa (3/12) beguiled his way past three Yabbies in an economical eight overs. Bajwa picked up where he left off as he struck 48 to get some early wind in the Vikings’ sails. Mark Henry (25) and Jason Hameeteman (22 not out) would push in the rest of the tally as Lyndhurst cruised home with nearly half the overs remaining.
Lyndhurst has built a six-point buffer over Clyde and Officer while Pakenham Upper/Toomuc has dropped from the four on percentage to Cranbourne Meadows.
The Vikings will greet Officer this week while the Yabbies are off to face the Marygoons.
ST FRANCIS XAVIER v CLYDE
Bits and bobs were more than enough for Clyde (8/155) to take the cake against St Francis Xavier (93). With more starts than Dave Denton (28), Gav Adams (26), Joel Avard (21) and captain Kyle Brooke (34) entered the Cougars’ bogey-zone between 20-40 runs and none found their way out of the hoodoo.
Brooke and Denton combined for 34 to give the Cougars the last needed boost in retrospect to guide the victory back home to Lineham Oval.
Chris Shepherdson (28) and Will Bodsworth (20) were the best of the X-men contingent as Nick Miles (5/20) went on the rampage, but could not match pace with the Cougars, instead falling 62 runs off the pace.
St Francis Xavier heads out to Glover Reserve on Saturday while Clyde hosts Cranbourne Meadows in the cross-town showdown.
CRANBOURNE MEADOWS v NAR NAR GOON/MARYKNOLL
Some pluck and resolve from the Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll (9/115) lower order wasn’t enough to undo the horrors of the top order against Cranbourne Meadows (8/119). Five wickets fell for a pittance as Geoff Bradshaw (4/16) rattled off 1-2-3-4 with the Marygoons’ top order. Gallantly fighting back, Jacob Skobia (32) and Brannon Harrison (22 not out) made the most of their chances to push the visitors towards the century mark. The last resolve was shattered by Shane Murdoch (2/20) as the Goon succumbed in 40 overs.
A parallel poor performance from the Rebels almost left them falling short of the already short chase. John Emery (20) top scored but the middle order fell away to drop 5/32 as Peter Haxell (3/21), Joey Sweeney (2/25) and Kevin Wheeler (2/36) went to town. It would leave the tail to navigate the last hump as Mathew Smith (13), Jason Poole (8 not out) and Bradshaw (4 not out) got the job done with two overs to spare.
The Rebels are off to Clyde while Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll hosts Pakenham Upper/Toomuc.
