Singh leads Vikings to victory

Emerald''s Steve Kapahnke (2/34) steams in against Carlisle Park in WGCA D Grade action. 187762 Pictures: ROB CAREW

By Hayley Wildes

WGCA LOWER GRADES

REVIEW – ROUND 5 (DAY TWO)

B GRADE

After Luke Hamilton (134) – broken toe and all – led Devon Meadows to a total of 293 on day one, it was Nathan Fenner (3/14) and Mick Floyd (3/31) who delivered the knock-out blow for the Panthers against Officer on Saturday.

Chasing a big total, the Bullants were never really in the hunt as wickets fell steadily throughout the innings, eventually dismissed for 171 in the 52nd over. Chathura Imbulagoda (37) top-scored for Officer.

Carlisle Park’s first day total of 237 was too much for Aura Vale as the Vikings claimed a comprehensive win. Jagvinder Singh (5/27) was in fine form as he and Gurpreet Soi (3/17) combined to rip through Aura Vale’s batting line-up to dismiss them for 167 runs.

Tooradin was unable to defend its total of 199 as Cranbourne Meadows made light work of the Seagulls. Sami Muzaffar (43) and Jasmeet Virdi (36) top-scored for the Rebels as they posted a total of 4/207 in 65 overs to claim the win.

In a well-rounded display, all six Rebel batsmen who faced deliveries scored at least 20 runs.

After dismissing Catani for just 145 runs, Emerald’s batsmen got to work quickly as opener Brad Trinnick (70) and Danny Ceeney (60) combined for a 101-run stand. The Bombers reached the target with seven wickets in hand and posted a total of 222.

Danny Brewster (5/38) bowled consistently for the Cats, but it wasn’t enough.

C GRADE

Pakenham Upper/Toomuc got the job done against Upper Beaconsfield; rallying after stumbling late on day one.

After restricting the Maroons to 127, the Yabbies faced 15 overs before call was played off last weekend and found themselves at 2/13.

On Saturday, they got straight to work as Mark Johnson (66) and Nicholas Kyval (41) led the Yabbies to the win with a total of 9/196 (declared).

Cardinia only just escaped with the win against Officer as they struggled to keep their wickets intact.

After restricting the Bullants to just 8/101, the Bulls just couldn’t get going with the bat as Brent Pullen (4/27) almost led Officer to an unlikely win.

Cardinia’s Jye Remy (37) was the only batsmen to make inroads and at 8/84, Cardinia looked in trouble. It was a match-winning 14 runs from tail-ender Shanuka Kulasekara that ultimately proved the difference as the Bulls reached the total with one wicket in hand, posting a total of 9/103.

Pakenham dominated proceedings against Clyde, but was unable to get the required wickets for an outright win.

Having declared on 5/231 last Saturday – 175 runs in front of Clyde’s first innings total of 56 – Pakenham’s bowlers failed to strike as easily this weekend, with a much-improved Clyde performance.

The Cougars’ defence was steadfast as openers Ben Reilly (58) and Zac Shepherd (32) ensured Clyde got off to a strong start. Play ended with the Cougars on 4/157 as the Lions claimed the win.

NNG/Maryknoll was far too strong for Cranbourne Meadows, easily accounting for the Rebels after restricting them to just 119 last weekend.

In reply, the Marygoons – led by Brannon Harrison (74) and Matthew Trofa (61) – flew past the target and posted a total of 5/252 (declared).

D GRADE

After Ashley Bailey (8/49) dominated with the ball last weekend, his NNG/Maryknoll teammates took care of business with the bat on day two as the Marygoons claimed a win over Merinda Park.

The Cobras mustered 147 runs on day one and despite sitting at 2/5, the Marygoons roared home to post a total of 4/152 as Geoffrey Ball (55 not out) and David Gibbs (31 not out) put on a match-winning 92-run partnership.

Lang Lang easily accounted for Pakenham. After dismissing the Lions for just 114 runs, the Tigers got straight to work as Daniel Esler (64) and Chris Brew (36) combined for a 98-run partnership.

The Tigers claimed the win, posting a total of 5/128.

Kooweerup couldn’t chase down the big total set by the Victorian Vikings. Chasing 264 for victory, the Demons were stranded at 6/64 and despite the tail wagging, were unable to recover.

Kooweerup’s Riley Battams (38 not out) did all he could at the end of the innings, as did Scott Gray (35) and Wil Battams (27). It wasn’t enough though as the Demons were dismissed for 213 as Kanishka Wickramanayake (4/42) and Jaideep Karnik (3/52) claimed crucial wickets for the Vikings.

Emerald held off Carlisle Park, despite strong lower-order contributions from the Vikings almost getting them home. At 6/45, the Vikings looked done, but Fateh Ahmed (75 not out) revived the innings.

Unfortunately for Ahmed and Carlisle Park, his teammates just couldn’t stay at the crease with him as they were dismissed for 192. Dave McDonald (4/31) bowled strongly for the Bombers.

E GRADE

Cranbourne Meadows was chasing an overall win against Officer, but the Bullants held them off on day two.

After Officer posted a total of just 77 runs on day one, Cranbourne Meadows declared at 5/114 after Nicholas Waller (48) and Brodie Matthews (37) got runs on the board.

Officer – despite losing plenty of wickets – avoided the outright loss as play was called off with the Bullants on 7/53. Nauman Ahmed (2/2) and Roger Cotterell (2/3) bowled fine spells to nearly see the Rebels claim full points.

Pakenham Upper/Toomuc defended their total of 151 against Nyora as Stuart Langley (4/16) delivered nine devastating overs for the Yabbies.

At 3/81, the Maroons looked in control, but a batting collapse saw them all out for just 104 as the Yabbies bowlers took over in the latter stages of day two.

Catani defended its total of 154 against Devon Meadows as the Panthers fell for just 133. Brad Adams was the star for the Cats, while Brett Irvine (38) top-scored for the Panthers.

Clyde easily chased down Tooradin’s first innings total of 127 as Gavin Adams (56 not out) and Ryan Adams (20 not out) led the Cougars to a total of 5/136.

F GRADE

Cardinia claimed a win over Cranbourne Meadows after restricting the Rebels to 150 on day one. The Bulls – led by Ben Warren (29) and Chris Remy (29) – posted a total of 179.

Pakenham claimed a rare outright win over Pakenham Upper/Toomuc. After leading by 88 runs at the competition of both team’s first innings’, the Lions dismissed the Yabbies for just 104 in their second innings as Zac Downes (6/20) ripped through the batting line-up.

The Lions claimed the outright win by recording 1/20 in four overs in their second innings.

Merinda Park White claimed a comprehensive win over Merinda Park Red, but was unable to record an outright win as Red’s batsmen fought hard on day two.

Holding a 210-run lead after both team’s first innings’, White went for the outright win, but Red’s batsmen hung tough to record a total of 3/107 as White claimed the first innings win.

Devon Meadows defeated Clyde on forfeit.