Crunch time for Bears

By Nick Creely

DDCA TURF 1 &2
REVIEW – ROUND 9 (DAY TWO)
Despite being one of the most highly fancied teams in Turf 1 this season, Berwick’s season is now hanging by a thread.
Not only did Mordialloc bank an important win for their own ambitions of going back to back, but they won outright, and in the process knocked the Bears out of the top four with just two rounds remaining and surged to the top of the table.
The Bloodhounds resumed play already with first innings points in the bank after rolling the Bears for 95 after making 123 in the first innings.
Prized all-rounder Ian Daniel (44) once again displayed his range of shots; cracking eight boundaries; but after his departure courtesy of Bears skipper Jarrod Goodes (1/18), the Bloodhounds went from 4/89 to being dismissed for just 136, a similar batting collapse that very nearly hurt them last week.
The equation was fairly simple; the Bears needed 165 for reverse outright, or face a defeat that leaves them vulnerable.
But the Bloodhounds had a sniff, with stalwart Stuart Squires (2/26) prizing out Jordan Cleland on the first ball of the innings, before Jordan McDonnell (8) also fell victim to Squires only overs later.
Nathan Pilon (23) and Darren de Souza (24) did still play their shots to swiftly put on 45 runs between them, but the pair fell in virtual succession, and suddenly they were 4/58.
In the next 15 overs, Tim Wighton (5/25) electrified, bowling his second stunning spell of the game, with the returning quick steaming his way through the Bears’ middle order to leave the visitors in a world of hurt.
They were eventually bowled the Bears out for 102, in a game that may come back to haunt them.
Springvale South, meanwhile, used all of its experience and ruthlessness to effectively end Heinz Southern Districts’ season at Reedy Reserve.
Chasing 175 on a tricky pitch, the Cobras resumed at 2/28, but lost star bat Kaushyla Weeraratne (23) almost instantly, with the all-rounder gifting a catch to Bloods skipper Craig Slocombe off the bowling of Steven Spoljaric (2/14).
Despite a plucky; and typically dynamic performance from Michael ‘Slick’ Davies (32), who is in the midst of a stellar individual season, immense slow bowling efforts by Malinga Bandara (4/30) and Slocombe (2/11) meant the Bloods were never in danger, with the home side rolling over for 108.
Dandenong West provided a minor scare to competition heavyweights Buckley Ridges, but the class of Jurgen Andersen saw the Bucks to an eventual victory at Park Oval.
Andersen (5/40) picked his first major bag for his new club, helping roll the Westers for 188, still 42 runs short of victory.
The former North Dandenong skipper had the red ball talking, troubling the Westers with his relentless lines; Greg Todd (3/17) also maintained his strong form with the ball by providing the perfect foil for Andersen.
Impressive recruit Matin Sultani (39) and developing young batsman Bailey Howarth (55) did a nice job for the visitors.
But it was another stock standard professional win for the Bucks, who are building some impressive momentum into the finals.
It was also an astonishing; yet rare domination by Narre Warren down at Sweeney Reserve, with the Magpies completely flattening Cranbourne in a bottom of the table clash.
The Eagles made the interesting decision to declare on day one with the score at 6/236, and the Magpies looked flat when they were 3/51 after Steve Miller (1/35) trapped Daniel Orchard (31) LBW after looking threatening.
But an extraordinary partnership between two of their brightest stars; Janaka Liyanabadalge and Imran Laghmani; put the Magpies back on course as the Eagles started to get nervous.
The pair crunched 204 runs in a match winning partnership, with Liyanabadalge playing a fine hand to finish 113, while Laghmani made 100 not out in his first century for the club.
The two oozed class as they sliced their way closer and closer to the intended target.
Chamara Liyanaarachchi (17 off 12) belted a few late boundaries and saw the Magpies home with six wickets left in the shed, their first win in what has been another tough season for the club.
Hallam came out of the round as the biggest winner, with the Hawks jumping into fourth spot after cruising its way to victory over St Mary’s.
The Hawks; chasing 165 for victory; were in control for the most of the day, with gritty opener Ben Hillard (51) anchoring the chase superbly.
A string of 20’s by the likes of Jordan Hammond (21), Kevin Kean (27), Ryan Hillard (25) and Vishal Thind (22) saw the Hawks pass the Saints four wickets down, before finishing the day on 6/212.
Spin twins Kaushyla Gajasinghe (2/64) and Ruwantha Kellepotha (4/64) could hold their heads high for the home side.
In the remaining match, North Dandenong(176) is one step closer to avoiding relegation after a thrilling win over Dingley (174).
In Turf 2, an incredible all round display of dominance from Beaconsfield skipper Matt Golding has the Tigers roaring as they keep a hold over fourth spot on the ladder.
Up against a struggling Fountain Gate, the Englishman backed up his unbelievable 8/34 on day, making a terrific 80 with the bat, before skittling the Gaters once again to finish with 5/84, a total of 13/118 for the match.
Golding’s side; in which he has contributed an incredible 466 runs and 36 wickets; fell just short of an outright victory, but remain entrenched in the top four.
Narre South (7/214) also picked up a cruising victory against Keysborough (105) in a one dayer at Strathaird, after the first day was washed away due to rain.
Lions skipper Scott Phillips (63) held the innings together beautifully as he continues to dominant the competition, before prized all-rounder Ali Mortaza (5/26) skittled the visitors in just 24 overs.
In the other matches across the round, Parkfield (191) had just enough fire power to defeat St Brigid’s/St Louis (133), Coomoora (200) defeated Silverton (136 and 3/34) and maintained pressure on the top four, Narre North (8/192) surprised Parkmore Porates (118 and 4/132), while Lynbrook (8/194) proved far too strong for Lyndale (85 and 5/118).