Rebels topple ladder leaders

By Nick Creely

WGCA DISTRICT AND SUB-DISTRICT
REVIEW – ROUND 6 (DAY TWO)

DISTRICT

Challengers to Devon Meadows’ mantle as the District Division team to be beat continue to mount, and after another action-packed weekend of cricket, both Cranbourne Meadows and Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll are breathing down the neck of the Panthers at the top.
On day two of Devon Meadows and Cranbourne Meadows at Lawson Poole Reserve, the Rebels inflicted the Panthers with its first loss of the season, and in fairly comprehensive fashion.
Resuming at 3/95 in the pursuit of a surprisingly low 156 from the Panthers, Rebels batsmen Sunny Paul (53) and skipper Ash Uppal (86) continued their charge to put the home side in a commanding position.
The classy pair, along with strong cameos from Will Cloney (19) and Iftikhar Ahmad (26 not out), lifted the third placed Rebels to 7/257 before Uppal decided to declare after 65 overs.
Ash Adams (4/83) and Lucas Carroll (2/60) charged in hard for the Panthers with the ball.
The Panthers had a late dip with the bat to finish on 0/38 in the second innings, but the day belonged to the Rebels, who are proving they are a side to keep an eye on throughout the season.
Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll was the other side to make a serious statement on Saturday, defeating Clyde outright at Lineham Oval to surge into second spot on the ladder.
After claiming first innings points last week, the Marygoons – hell bent on winning outright – showed very little mercy to roll the Cougars for just 111 in 36 overs in their second innings.
Joraver Sidhu (46) battled hard to resist the momentum after coming in at 6/49, but had very little support as Sean Somers (5/47) and Daniel Glen (3/24) ran through the opposition with some relentless bowling.
The Cougars gave the Marygoons a bit of a scare by taking regular wickets in the second innings chase of 81, but ultimately the class of in the in-form side proved the decisive factor and they achieved the double points with three wickets to spare.
Pakenham Upper/Toomuc also had plenty of reason to smile, with the Yabbies picking up their first win of the season against Tooradin, despite an absolutely incredible bowling display by Shane Somers.
Resuming at 0/49, with another 152 runs to win, a string of handy knocks by the likes of Adam Tucker (41 not out), Matt Southall (36), John Langley (26), skipper Ben Clough (25), Lucas Plozza (23) and Ben McLeod (23) saw the Yabbies escape with just one wicket to spare, but Somers sure made it difficult.
The Gulls veteran took an incredible 8/30 off 26 overs, an astonishing pair of numbers that also included 14 maidens, to almost solely steal a victory for his side.
But it took the money off the back for the Yabbies, who have struggled since being relegated from Premier.
In the final match, Carlisle Park continued on with its winning run by easily accounting for a disappointing Officer.
Chasing 243 for victory, the Bullants couldn’t recover from three early wickets that left them 3/16, and limped their way to 137 in 57.4 overs after a terrific fighting knock by Tom Marks (62).
Heath Straughair (6/32) was the dominant bowler for the Vikings, and took a memorable hat-trick late in the Bullants’ innings to cap off a dominant day of cricket.

LADDER

SUB-DISTRICT  
Only 20 runs separated Pakenham and Aura Vale on Saturday at Toomuc Reserve, but it was the Lions who emerged victorious to create some breathing space for the current Sub-District top four.
Resuming at 0/22 in pursuit of the Lions’ first innings total of 201, seamer Paul Gramc (3/22) struck three early bowls to leave the Lakers 3/32.
Laker pair Daniel Swinburne (31) and Rick Lowery (31) fought back well, putting on 51 runs before Rod Berry (2/48) found his way through Swinburne’s defence for a vital wicket.
Skipper Christian Webb (47) and Kevin McDonald (26) did their best rescuing act to compile a handy partnership, but ultimately the Lakers fell short, bowled out for 181 in 62.3 overs.
Apart from Gramc and Berry, Terry Smith (3/45) was outstanding for the Lions with the ball.
Down at Rutter Park, Tooradin avoided an outright defeat to third placed Cardinia, with the Bulls’ all-round power too much for the Gulls to handle.
The Bulls wasted no time in dismissing the Gulls early on day two after the home side resumed at 7/58, skittling them for just 72 after David Kingston’s (6/23) brilliant haul of wickets.
With a 65 run lead to play with, aggressive gun batsman Brad Remy (76) struck four sixes and eight fours and in just 10.3 overs, the Bulls racked up 2/114, a lead of 179.
The Gulls worked hard to outlast a desperate Bull bowling attack, managing to escape at 6/75 by stumps.
Lang Lang, meanwhile, escaped with a gritty victory over Gembrook on day two of their clash.
Chasing a tricky 180 for victory, the Swamp Tigers were in serious trouble when five early wickets left them hanging precariously at 5/54, with Brookers skipper Geordie Scott (5/63) having three of those scalps.
When Ron Bright (6) edged one to Ryan Scott off Jack Burchill (3/32), the Swamp Tigers were 6/69, and the game was slipping away.
Enter keeper Shaun Donnerly (76), who expertly batted with lower order players Sam Cole (31) and Cam Williams (13) to win his side the match with two wickets to spare.
Donnerly put on 66 runs with Cole and 43 runs with Williams, in a brilliant knock that has the Swamp Tigers cement their spot in second.
In the round’s final match, Nyora (114 and 5/73) were easily defeated by the still undefeated Catani (163) at Lakeside Oval.
Dustin Peebles (54) and Daniel Glover (41) steered the Cats to victory after some jittery moments in the run chase.

LADDER