By Hayley Wildes
WGCA LOWER GRADES
REVIEW – ROUND 6 (DAY ONE)
In what was a rain effected Saturday of WGCA action, many games failed to get underway, but those that did provided plenty of entertainment.
B GRADE
All games in B Grade got underway and Emerald looks in a strong position against Tooradin. Ian Crosher (71) led the way before being run out, while Caleb Lobbe (46) was in fine form before losing his wicket via a run out as well. Brad Trinnick (35) also batted well early in the innings.
For the Seagulls, Jeremy Bodley (4/96) anchored the attack with 25 overs of bowling and was the only bowler to make inroads as the Bombers posted a total of 7/240 in 70 overs.
Aura Vale has some solid contributions against Cranbourne Meadows, but lost wickets at crucial times as they posted a total of 173 with Mitchel Dubbeld (47) and Brad Richards (30) top-scoring.
For the Rebels, Munish Mahajan (4/39) and Ricky Mitchell (3/30) bowled well.
Devon Meadows’ bowlers took control of the game against Carlisle Park as they restricted the Vikings to just 134. Despite a half century to Adam Baumgardner (50) and a strong innings from Fateh Ahmed (36), others failed to fire as Jamie Cape (4/41) and Sam Hurdiss (3/9) dominated proceedings.
The battle between Officer and Catani hangs in the balance at the conclusion of day one. The Bullants batted first and the top-order performed well as Steve Pursell (72) and Craig Fenney (37) put runs on the board early.
Others failed to convert starts though and with Robert Coupe (4/49) bowling well, the Cats dismissed the Bullants for 208.
In reply, Catani faced three tricky overs to end the day and opener Trent Adams (0) fell without troubling the scorers. The Cats stand at 1/4 heading into day two.
C GRADE
Weather halted all games in C Grade.
D GRADE
Merinda Park simply dominated Emerald and is in a perfect position heading into day two of their clash at Donnelly Reserve.
Sitting at 1/31, the Cobras needed a steadying partnership and they got all that and more as Mark Thomas (185) and Brett Armitage (70) put on an incredible 180-run partnership. Thomas was just superb as he belted 26 4s and five 6s in his ruthless and highlight-filled innings.
The partnership set up the innings and a strong contribution from Grant Pearson (35) down the order saw the Cobras posted a daunting total of 351 in just 61 overs.
The Bombers had to face five overs before the conclusion of day one and will enter day two with a mighty task ahead of them, sitting at 1/20.
The match-up between NNG/Maryknoll and the Victorian Vikings didn’t get underway, nor did Kooweerup and Lang Lang’s clash.
E GRADE
Only one game got underway in E Grade and it’s fair to say that Tooradin had all the answers for Officer on day one of their clash.
With Tooradin’s Wayne Mannix (5/23) bowling with great efficiency and effectiveness in his 14 overs, Officer was in trouble from the outset.
Wickets fell thick and fast as the Bullants lost their final eight wickets for just 20 runs, dismissed for just 62 in 33 overs. Only Lachlan James (22) made it to double figures for Officer, while Casey Mills (2/0) needed just three deliveries to collect his two wickets.
The Seagulls got straight to work in reply and despite losing early wickets, sit at 3/131 with Kaine Bundy (68 not out) and Tyler Evans (19 not out) at the crease. Tooradin will be searching for the outright win when play resumes this weekend.
Clashes between Pakenham Upper/Toomuc and Cranbourne Meadows, Catani and Clyde, and Nyora and Devon Meadows were called off on day one due to bad weather.
F GRADE
Devon Meadows put together a strong innings against Cranbourne Meadows as Mick Hawkins (44), Brad Williams (43) and Robert Worsteling (33 not out) batted with composure to lead the Panthers to a total of 8/208 in 70 overs.
Shannon Marrell (3/34) was dangerous with the ball, while Adrian Savage (2/23) was also impressive.
Pakenham and Cardinia are in the midst of a battle of the bowlers as batsmen from both teams struggled to put runs on the board in a low-scoring affair.
After winning the toss, Pakenham elected to bat, but at 6/44 would’ve been regretting that decision. With Bulls’ Ray Perkins (4/22) and Wayne Snooks (2/22) taking care of the top order, Ash Jones (4/9) cleaned up the tail with an incredible seven overs.
In his seven overs, he bowled two maidens and claimed a rare hat-trick in stunning fashion. With only Peter Carr (30) making inroads for the Lions, Pakenham was dismissed for just 73 in 33 overs.
Chasing a small total, the Bulls also struggled with the bat, before eventually reaching the required runs for the loss of seven wickets. Gary Sewell (4/11) was in devastating form, while Zac Downes (3/21) backed up his six-wicket haul last week with another fine performance.
At the conclusion of day one, Cardinia sits at 9/91.
Merinda Park won on forfeit over Pakenham Upper/Toomuc, while Clyde and Merinda Park Red didn’t get on the field.
