By Hayley Wildes
WGCA LOWER GRADES
REVIEW – ROUND 1
B GRADE
After claiming the C Grade premiership last season, Catani was unable to win its first game in B Grade on Saturday. Taking on the Carlisle Park Vikings on the road, Catani couldn’t contain Rahil Gandhi (48) and Gaurav Dutt (41) as the pair helped their team to 7/188.
Catani’s run chase stumbled early as opening batsmen, Chris Banbury (10) and Chris Duncan (8) faltered. Despite a strong third-wicket partnership between Ryan Smith (37) and Cecil Haysom (27), Carlisle Park’s bowling attack was too strong as Catani fell to 7/144.
Officer was too good for Tooradin at Heatherbrae Recreation Reserve on Saturday. The Seagulls posted a total of 156, led by Adam Jacobs (41), but it wasn’t enough as solid contributions from the Bullants’ batsmen got them over the line with four overs to spare.
Justin Hinkley (30) top-scored for Officer, while Colin Parnall (29 not out) made a valuable lower-order contribution to guide his team home.
Devon Meadows made a dominant start to its campaign with a ruthless win over Aura Vale at Glover Reserve. Jamie Cape (55 not out) and William Loudon (39) led the way for the Panthers as they posted a massive 6/256 total. Dapinder Singh (3/23) was the only bowler to make inroads for Aura Vale.
The Panthers bowlers dismissed Aura Vale for just 90 runs in 27 overs. It was a total team effort with six players taking wickets, including Riley Worsteling, who took 2/2 in two devastating overs.
Cranbourne Meadows easily accounted for Emerald at Lawson Poole Reserve. Emerald won the toss, but they struggled mightily as four batsmen fell without troubling the scorers. Atta Basit (4/17) and Sarabjeet Singh (3/20) were impressive for Cranbourne Meadows.
Chasing just 107 for the win, the Rebels got straight to work and Jasmeet Virdi (43) ensured a win his team got over the line with the Rebels posting 2/110 in 19 overs.
C GRADE
Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll took home last season’s D Grade premiership and in their first outing in C Grade claimed the win against Upper Beaconsfield.
Batting first, the Marygoons had solid contributions from Thomas Medwin (36), Matthew Trofa (34) and Bryce Thomas (30) on their way to posting 9/161. The Maroons Shawn Hassall (3/24) bowled consistently.
Upper Beaconsfield was unable to find their rhythm with the bat as Luke Hill (4/23) caused problems all day. The Maroons were bowled out for 132.
Officer’s batsmen failed to fire against Pakenham Upper/Toomuc as they were bowled out for just 80 runs in 35 overs. Chris Vernal (3/11) was terrific for the Yabbies.
In response, the Yabbies were in total control as opener Justin Harris (50 not out) guided the innings, leading his team to a winning total of 2/84 off 27 overs.
Pakenham took care of business against Cardinia, getting some great contributions from an array of batsmen. Five batsmen, led by Troy Wilson (33) and opener Jackson Luka (32), scored at least 20 runs as they posted a total of 5/171.
Despite opener Jye Remy (58) playing beautifully, none of his teammates got going as Terry Smith (4/18) ripped through Cardinia’s batting line-up. The Bulls were restricted to 9/123.
Cranbourne Meadows and Clyde played out a tight match, with the Rebels eventually claiming the win. The Rebels posted a total of 8/163, with Troy Smith (51) ensuring a competitive total was reached.
Clyde was on rocky ground from the outset when opener Anthony Galley was dismissed for one run, but fellow opener Ben Reilly (70) rallied his team to have them in with a chance. Unfortunately for the Cougars, Reilly’s teammates continued to fall around him and the team was eventually dismissed for 145 – 18 runs short – after 38 overs.
D GRADE
In possibly the game of the round, Merinda Park claimed a thrilling win over Carlisle Park in a high-scoring affair at Donnelly Reserve.
Merinda Park batted first and posted the impressive total of 9/209, led by Jace Field (45) and Martin Donaldson (40).
With a big total to chase, the Vikings got straight to work and an opening-wicket partnership of 84 between Lesley Howell (83) and Andrew Myers (30) gave the Vikings a sniff. Martin Davies (28 not out) and Chris Slater (19 not out) almost guided their team to an unlikely win but the chase fell agonisingly short as they managed 7/206 before running out of deliveries.
Kooweerup made light work of Pakenham at Toomuc Reserve. Having restricted the Lions to 134 runs, an 82-run opening partnership between Adam Wilkinson (52 not out) and Daniel Tannahill (59) had the Demons in complete control all day.
Kooweerup reached the target with 15 overs to spare, dropping just one wicket.
Emerald struggled to make runs against the Victorian Vikings, posting just 4/119. In response, the Vikings were too good with the bat as they claimed the win with a score of 7/120 after 32 overs.
NNG/Maryknoll kept Lang Lang at bay after being bowled out for 134. Raj Singh made 43 vital runs for the Marygoons, while Daniel Swinburne (3/20) was the pick of the bowlers for the Tigers.
In response, the Marygoons – led by Jason Campbell (3/11) – dismissed the Tigers for 119, despite the best efforts of Dylan Diehl (39).
E GRADE
Officer left it late, but ultimately prevailed against Pakenham Upper/Toomuc at Lakeside Reserve. Despite a promising opening partnership of 54 between Adam Sellars (47) and Phillip Brook (30), the Yabbies struggled their way to 130 as Sean Chamberlain (3/4) and Adam Vangeninden (3/20) ripped through the batting line-up.
In response, the Bullants claimed the win by posting a total of 7/140 after 40 overs. Adam Vangeninden (50) top-scored in a brilliant display for Officer.
Devon Meadows was far too strong for Cranbourne Meadows at Lawson Poole Reserve. Batting first, the Panthers tallied 3/210 as Mark Hosking (107 not out) belted 20 boundaries in a brutal innings. Anothony Scott (50) was also impressive for the Panthers.
At 2/7, Cranbourne Meadows was never truly in the contest as Trent D’Alton (4/32) was dangerous all day and helped bowl the Rebels out for just 134.
Clyde was dominant in a big win over Nyora. Batting first, the Cougars – led by Brett Whittingham (82) – fired their way to an imposing total of 7/231.
Nyora’s batsmen were overpowered by the Clyde bowling attack of Tomas Smith (3/20) and Calvin Bypost (3/25), with the Maroons bowled out for just 101.
Meanwhile, Tooradin claimed the points on forfeit over Catani.
F GRADE
Cardinia made light work of Devon Meadows at Junction Village Reserve. With the Panthers batting first, Glen D’Alton (49) and Daniel Floyd (25) were the only batsmen to make inroads as Chris Remy (3/3) tore through the line-up.
Cardinia easily reached the target of 128 in 30 overs as Chris Remy (40) and Ben Warren (38 not out) showcased their class.
Merinda Park claimed the win over Cranbourne Meadows in a high-scoring affair. Andrew Clappers (68 not out) helped the Rebels to a strong first innings total of 7/174, but it wasn’t enough.
The Cobras – led by Jason Viney (56) and Lester Betreen (54 not out) – were too strong with the bat, posting a total of 7/183 and claiming the win.
Clyde won on forfeit over Officer, while Pakenham had the bye.
