Swans continue their build

Dandenong spinner Akshat Buch sends one on Saturday. 187329 Picture: ROB CAREW

By Nick Creely

AROUND THE GROUNDS

VICTORIAN PREMIER CRICKET

ROUND 5 (DAY TWO)

Casey-South Melbourne simply don’t want to make up the numbers, they want to be a threat.

After clinically knocking over Camberwell Magpies on Saturday away from home, the new look Swans are sitting just outside the top eight, a terrific start to the season by any measure. They’re building something that has previously been lacking.

The Magpies were always on the back foot after a sublime hundred by Michael Wallace (125) on day one saw the visitors set a formidable 330 for victory.

Wallace’s ton was significant for many reasons. He came in at 3/30 and with state bowler Andrew Fekete causing trouble, it was his first game back after being dropped down a level, and it was his second triple figures score in a row.

These factors – combined with a resolute 83 to keeper Devin Pollock gave the Swans a momentum that never shifted from there on in.

The home side couldn’t wrestle up enough boundaries to put the pressure on, and were blown away early, with Jackson Fry (2/21), Nathan Lambden (1/52) and James Maxwell (1/29) setting the tone with the new ball.

Emerging quicks Maxwell and Fry took their opportunities with Josh Dowling and Dylan Hadfield out injured, combining to capture the wickets of James Rosewarne, Oliver Gunning and Lewis McManus early, before the run out of Shubham Bhargave had the home side hanging meekly at 4/49.

As expected, the class of Tom Russ (77) meant the Magpies were always going to fight back, but the wickets kept tumbling, and crucially, the Swans kept pressuring, and attacking at all costs.

The Magpies were eventually snuffed out for 213, with Jonah Serong (3/43) bouncing back from a tough opening spell to take the final three wickets of the match, including Russ and Will Walker in consecutive balls to help his side to victory.

Fry, who now has 43 first XI games under his belt as he continues to emerge in the bowling ranks, praise the bowling group for putting the Magpies on the back foot early.

“I got a couple early, James Maxwell got one and they were four for not many – we put their two best players, Hill and Russ, under a lot of pressure and then getting Hill out, we knew we were on our way to getting the points, which was good,” he said.

Culture has been a major factor in the Swans turning around their fortunes so far this season, something not lost on Fry who explained that presence of some elite cricket heads has brought about some renewed confidence and fierce competition for spots.

“It’s a lot different culture – Nick Jewell’s a massive inclusion for the club, what he’s brought to the table in terms of philosophies on cricket throughout the pre-season, and guys know where they stand with him, which is massive. And obviously having Luke Wells too is huge,” he said.

“Having two first-class guns at the helm is massive. It makes a big difference, we know our game a lot better, and guys walk tall with them around.

“There’s massive competition for spots, which is great, because guys train a bit harder – it’s good to be around it.

“We didn’t have that last year – I probably played ones all last year when I wasn’t in any great form. There’s pressure on my spot now, Josh Dowling is going to come back in, and James Maxwell is back after a year off and is a much better player.”

Ahead of a blockbuster against local rivals, Dandenong, on Saturday and Sunday, Fry said the Swans were well placed to give the reigning premiers a shake.

“We know how good they are, and it’s a great challenge against a local rival at home. They’re coming off a premiership, so we’re really looking forward to it,” he said.

“Our performances against Fitzroy-Doncaster and Camberwell were top notch, and we believe when we play our best cricket, we can take it up to them.

“Obviously the opening partnership (of Tom Donnell and Brett Forsyth) is massive, and if we knock a few over early and have a look at a few early on, it’s going to be a great game. Hopefully it’s a big crowd and attracts a few down to Casey Fields.”

Dandenong, meanwhile, climbed into seventh spot, comfortably defending the formidable 309 they set against Monash Tigers.

Brett Forsyth (146 not out) – in game 200 – went searching for quick runs as day two resumed on Saturday and the home side batting on, launching some terrific shots over the fence before skipper Tom Donnell declared with one wicket left in the shed, ending the champion opener’s stunning innings.

It didn’t take long for James Wilcock (1/50) to get the new ball talking, finding the thick edge of Adam Amin in the fourth over, gratefully snaffled up by Forsyth himself at gully.

The Tigers tried to get the game on their terms, looking to push the ball into gaps with more force than they intended, because the Panthers bowled so tightly, and fielded with hunger that even blocked the most simple of singles.

Despite looking set, Tigers skipper Dan Sartori (24) edged one off James Nanopoulos (3/36) to give the Panthers a second scalp, and Scott Edwards (29) and Sam Taylor (61) kept looking to move the game along, playing some lovely shots square of the wicket on the short side of Shepley.

But wickets kept falling, halting them whenever they seemed to have just a sniff of momentum. The Panthers once again proved why they are the reigning champs, that ability to seize moments when they are required.

With Akshat Buch (3/41) and Nanopoulos leading the charge, the Tigers were dismissed for just 171.

MPCA – PROVINICIAL

ROUND 5 (DAY ONE)

Pearcedale will need to ensure they take early wickets on day two after Sorrento moved into a strong position after the opening day of play on Saturday at Pearcedale.

Setting an underwhelming 141 for victory after winning the toss and batting, Sam Frawley picked up an early scalp to have the Sharks in early trouble, but Liam O’Connor (22 not out) helped guide the visitors to 2/55 at stumps.

West Gippsland champions, Tom Hussey and Neil Barfuss went head to head for Langwarrin and Flinders respectively on Saturday, with the Kangaroos batting through the day to reach 8/201 at stumps.

Hussey – who has always been a fierce on-field of Barfuss’ during their time in the WGCA – fell for 24, caught by Barfuss himself.

In other games, Mornington made 216 against Mt Eliza, while Baxter sits 2/24 in pursuit of Peninsula OB’s 104.

VICTORIAN SUB-DISTRICT – NORTH/EAST

ROUND 4

Endeavour Hills suffered yet another loss, this time to St Bernard’s OC at Murphy Oval on Saturday.

The home side amassed 242 in their allotted 45 overs, before dismissing the Eagles for just 171 in the 40th over.

Club legend Richard Saniga (45 and 2/29) once again stood tall for the Eagles, while Vaughan Baxter took 3/59.

And Noble Park suffered a shock loss to Preston at Pat Wright Oval, dismissed for 129 before the Bullants ran it down just three wickets down.

WOMEN’S PREMIER CRICKET

Dandenong – courtesy of an all-round masterclass Chelsea Moscript – chased down Plenty Valley’s 93 just five wickets down.

Plenty Valley won the toss and elected to bat, but were shot out by Moscript, who took 3/14 off 10 overs, Emma Gallagher (2/27) and Maryam Omar (2/12).

Omar and Moscript got off to a strong start in the chase, putting on 36 beofre a couple of quick wickets had them 5/62.

But Moscript (42 not out) held her nerve, guiding the Panthers home with Julie Fearns (9 not out) playing a vital role at the end.