Saints win inaugural trophy

By Nick Creely

DDCA
TURF 1 & 2
REVIEW – ROUND 5

TURF 1
ST MARY’S v BERWICK
Surprise packet St Mary’s provided the shock of the round, with a ripping upset victory over premiership favourites Berwick at Carroll Reserve, in a match that could shake up the tight tussle for finals spots.
The Saints were brilliant in an important game for both clubs, with the Cam McDonnell Trophy being contested for the first time, an event named after the DDCA Hall of Fame champion, who enjoyed a stunning career with both clubs.
After being sent in to bat, the Bears didn’t find their usual mojo and aggressiveness with the blade, instead scratching out a modest total of 9/149 off their 40 overs.
Champion players Matt Chasemore (38) and Nathan Pilon (49) were the only two to make significant runs for the Bears, as the Saints’ versatile bowling line up of Wendyl Pires (2/24), Ashan Anthony (3/28) and Trevor Heldt (2/28) kept things tight and forced the visitors into false strokes.
The Saints kept the runs flowing as they looked to gain a major scalp in their return year to Turf 1 cricket, and brilliantly chased the runs seven wickets down.
Ruwantha Kellepotha (38 not out) top-scored for the Saints, while Bears skipper Jarrod Goodes (4/37) did all he could to save the game for his side, who are struggling for consistency.
CRANBOURNE v HALLAM KALORA PARK
Down at Casey Fields, Hallam Kalora Park crushed a disappointing Cranbourne, with the Hawks continuing on with their winning ways.
Eagles skipper Lucas Ligt won the toss and elected to field, and Hawk opening pair Ben Hillard (27) and Leigh Booth (44) made life difficult, putting on 73 runs for the first wicket.
The in-form pair set the innings up perfectly on a tricky wicket, while Thalaivan Xavier (20) and Jagveer Hayer (32) also chimed in to guide the visitors to a strong total of 6/157 off their 40 overs.
Needing a strong start to have any chance, the Eagles lost four early scalps – all by different bowlers – to shut the game out early.
Cam Kelly (20) and Jake Harrington (19 not out) fought hard, but eventually Booth (4/15) delivered a brilliant spell to dismiss the Eagles for 81 in 38.1 overs.
It continues a strong run of form for the Hawks pre-Christmas, who are now equal in second with Buckley Ridges.
DANDENONG WEST v HEINZ SOUTHERN DISTRICTS
Heinz Southern Districts easily accounted for Dandenong West at Greaves Reserve, with the Westers still winless in 2017/18.
The Westers started well to dismiss Trevor Davies (11) and Brent Patterson (16) early in the piece, but eye catching cameos from Kaushyla Weeraratne (40), skipper Matt Cox (70 off 63) and Michael Davies (55 not out) lifted the visiting Cobras to an ominous 5/212.
Weeraratne broke through with the key scalps of Greg Siwes (2) and Matt Collett (8) to snuff out any chance of an upset victory, with the Westers finishing on 110.
Jack Philpin (3/22) and Lee Brown (3/21) did a power of work through the middle stages, while Weeraratne (2/19) was as per usual, impressive.
MORDIALLOC v NARRE WARREN
The woes of the Magpies continue on for another week, with the reigning premiers, Mordialloc, helping themselves to a comfortable victory.
At the Bloodhounds’ home ground, the Magpies were unable to take regular wickets after sending the home side into bat.
Recovering from the early wicket of Ian Daniel (5), the Bloodhounds were clinical with the bat, reaching 4/205 off 40 overs off the back of a cracking 78 not out to Peter McDermott and an equally impressive half century to Damith Mapa Ralage (51).
Together, the pair put an unbeaten 120-run partnership, with the Magpies unable to restrict the free flowing reigning premiers.
Janaka Liyanabadalge (36) once again proved a difficult wicket to dislodge, but eventually the Magpies succumbed to pressure from Tim Wighton (3/22), Lochlan Davies (3/12) and Stuart Squires (2/26) to be all bowled out for just 133.
The Magpies remain winless and down the bottom of the Turf 1 ladder, and must find some form if they wish to remain in the top tier beyond this season.
NORTH DANDENONG v BUCKLEY RIDGES
A stunning performance from Buckley Ridges down at Lois Twohig Reserve against North Dandenong was simply a matter of class.
The Maroons found runs hard to get after being sent in on a ground that saw buckets of rain make the outfield slow, and new ball pair Jurgen Andersen (3/20) and Daniel ‘DJ’ Watson (2/24) helped restrict the home to 8/110 off 40 overs.
Maroons captain Nasrat Malikzada (25) found some much needed touch for his side after starting the season with 13 runs in his first six digs, but the home struggled to rotate the strike.
DJ (48) and kiwi gun Greg Todd (41 not out) made light work of the Maroons bowlers, chasing the runs down in just 18 overs, as they continue to breathe down the neck of Springy South at the top.
SPRINGVALE SOUTH v DINGLEY
Steve Spoljaric put the foot down and delivered a knockout victory to Springvale South over an out of form Dingley at Alex Nelson Reserve.
The still undefeated Bloods showed no mercy to the Dingoes, after dominating proceedings for the entire match.
Winning the toss and batting, Matt Hague’s men struggled with spin twins Malinga Bandara (3/17) and Jarryd Straker (3/17), and were dismissed for just 115 in 39 overs.
Luke Spears (46) and Calvin Barlow (31) were the only two to reach double figures, in an excellent bowling effort by the Bloods.
Spoljaric then sliced his way to an unbeaten 62 off 48 balls after also snaring a wicket – a knock which included four sixes – to ease past the Dingoes just one wicket down.
Young gun Liam Hamilton (41) was also outstanding at first drop, combining beautifully with Spoljaric for a match-winning partnership.
TURF 2
Beaconsfield has well and truly put last round’s disappointing loss behind them, with the Tigers absolutely belting St Brigid’s/St Louis at Bondi Oval.
The Tigers put in their most clinical performance of the season, racking up 7/156 off their allotted 40 overs, with James McLean (35 not out) top scoring with an aggressive cameo late in the innings.
The home side’s openers – Mark Jamieson (13) and Ryan Stringer (27) – got off to a swift start, putting on 53 runs for the first wicket.
Enter gun bowler Ben Adams – who put in a stunning spell to shell shock the home team – and within an hour, the game turned on its head.
After Adams dismissed Jamieson – caught off Glen Scales – the Tigers took a stellar 9/25 to roll the home side for just 78.
Adams took 5/7 off his eight overs, while skipper Matt Golding (3/8) provided the perfect foil to well and truly get their season back on track.
In other matches across the round, Narre North (4/164) defeated Keysborough (162), Fountain Gate (8/139) and Lynbrook (8/139) played out a thrilling tie, Narre South (3/93) powered past Silverton (89), Parkfield (7/119) pipped Lyndale (8/117) in a close clash at Barry Powell Reserve, while Parkmore (8/118) survived some jittery moments to knock off Coomoora (117) at Wachter Reserve.

Turf 1 Team of the Year