Molloy monsters the Brookers

Liam Adams, pictured recently, and Catani will be looking for an outright win over Gembrook on day two of their WGCA Sub-District clash. 187325 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

By Hayley Wildes

WGCA DISTRICT AND SUB-DISTRICT

REVIEW – ROUND 6 (DAY ONE)

In the only game to get underway on a wet Saturday, Cardinia stamped its authority over Officer at Cardinia Recreation Reserve.

After winning the toss, Officer elected to bat and found themselves in immediate trouble when both openers were gone before the team had reached 20 runs.

Wayne Duke (17) and Chathura Imbulagoda (20) attempted to steady the innings, but fell before they could make any real inroads.

At 5/45, the Bullants were struggling with David Kingston (3/19) taking care of the top order. A 50-run partnership between Shaun Weir (33) and Cooper Pursell (23) put some respectability on the scoreboard, but with Matt Thompson (3/34) and Dwayne Doig (2/39) bowling strongly, the Bullants were dismissed for 147 in 77 overs.

Despite not commencing play on day one, the top four clash between NNG/Maryknoll (4-0-1) and Emerald (2-2-1) will get underway this Saturday at Nar Nar Goon Recreation Reserve and it promises to be an entertaining clash.

Emerald’s Mitch Thomas (325) leads the league in total runs, while his teammate Clinton Marsh (11) is the second leading wicket-taker. The Marygoons have been getting an even contribution from across the board with Dean Henwood (9) the leading wicket-taker and Dean Somers (8) not far behind him. Michael Giles (143) leads in the runs department for the Marygoons.

At the other end of the table, we have a battle between Tooradin and Clyde, with the loser likely to find themselves on the bottom of the ladder at the end of round 6.

The Cougars (1-4-0) will be looking for their second win of the season, while the Seagulls (0-4-1) will be looking to claim their first victory.

Meanwhile, Cranbourne Meadows (5-0-0) will be hoping to continue their unbeaten start to the season when their clash with Carlisle Park (2-3-0) gets underway at Carlisle Park Reserve.

Three out of four games got underway in the Sub-District Division, with only the top four battle between Pakenham Upper/Toomuc and Merinda Park not taking to the field.

At the conclusion of day one, Catani is in a fantastic position to claim an outright win against Gembrook after tearing apart the Brookers batting line-up.

In 14 dominant overs, Tyler Molloy (7/17) was near unplayable as he toyed with Gembrook’s batsmen – his line and length was superb with five of his wickets clean bowling his opponents. It was a complete demolition, the Brookers were dismissed for a measly 26 runs as all players failed to make it to double figures and five didn’t even trouble the scorers. Incredibly, Gembrook lost their final six wickets for just two runs.

With Molloy putting on a show, Daniel Glover (3/9) was efficient in his 14 overs, which included eight maidens.

The Cats were on the attack from the outset with the bat, sensing an outright win was a possibility. Openers Josh Bethune (38) and Dustin Peebles (50) piled on the runs and the Cats declared after 25 overs with a total of 2/117.

Needing 91 runs to make the Cats bat again, the Brookers are in trouble as they head into day two at 3/22. Clint Fulton (2/8) struck late on day one with the ball.

Lang Lang piled on the runs against Nyora and is in a strong position heading into day two. An opening stand of 105 between Jess Grima (71) and William Wykes (26) had the Tigers in control of the innings from outset.

It was the final wicket that will cause the loss of sleep for the Maroons though as Joseph Dalgleish (54) and Jeshan Pius (30) put on 72 runs for the tenth wicket, leading Lang Lang to an imposing total of 304.

For Nyora, Brent Potter (3/61) and Jake Hackett (3/62) bowled well.

The match between Kooweerup and Pakenham is in the balance after day one. The Demons got strong contributions from many batsmen as five players scored over 30 runs, led by Arie Hazendonk (54 not out) and Stephen Johnson (40).

A tenth wicket partnership of 88 runs between Haznedonk and Paul Bright (33) ensured a strong total was reached as the Demons were eventually dismissed for 264. Liam Wolstenholme (4/27) was in fine form for the Lions, while others struggled to make inroads.