By Hayley Wildes
WGCA LOWER GRADES
REVIEW – ROUND 7 (DAY ONE)
B GRADE
Emerald is in total control against Aura Vale, after punishing the Lakers bowlers on day one. Captain Brad Trinnick (98) anchored the Bombers innings from the top order and made light work of the Lakers bowlers, despite falling agonisingly short of a century.
Rawley Van Haren (45) was also impressive as six Bombers scored over 20 runs to see them post a big total of 8/304. Aaron Corrin (3/44) was the pick of the bowlers for Aura Vale.
Catani has 166 runs to defend against Cranbourne Meadows. Munish Mahajan (5/51) tore apart the Cats top order, while tail-ender Leigh Jose (39) top-scored for Catani to help them to the defendable total.
Devon Meadows is in strife against Tooradin after being dismissed for 128. Owen Johnstone (5/37) was in devastating form for the Seagulls, while Jeremy Bodley (2/15) was efficient and effective. Riley Worstelling (128) top-scored for the Panthers as wickets fell consistently throughout the innings.
Carlisle Park posted a total of 9/195 against Officer, thanks largely to half centuries from Adam Baumgardner (58) and Jagvinder Singh (51). Others fell relatively cheaply as Officer’s Shannon Marum (4/65) bowled well.
C GRADE
Cardinia will be looking to claim an outright win over Upper Beaconsfield when play resumes this weekend. The Bulls dismissed the Maroons for just 54 runs as Jack Glen (4/16), Evan Webster (3/3) and Nisal Kaduwela (3/16) ran riot.
In reply, Cardinia sits at 2/81 with Jack Glen (29 not out) and Tyler Oates (2 not out) at the crease.
Cranbourne Meadows is in desperate trouble against Pakenham Upper/Toomuc. The Rebels were dismissed for just 78 runs as Blake McGrath (5/27) and Nicholas Kyval (3/27) did plenty of damage.
In reply, the Yabbies stand at 3/71.
Officer piled on the runs against Pakenham as the middle-order shone bright after early struggles. Billy Carlyle (52) top-scored, before the middle-order – led by Jayson Dryden (43), Brent Pullen (39) and Kevin Davis (38) – ensured the strong total of 236 was reached.
Terry Smith (5/71) and Bradley Luka (4/80) claimed key wickets for Pakenham.
NNG/Maryknoll will be aiming to run down Clyde’s total of 134 when play resumes this weekend. The Cougars struggled to string partnerships together as only Owen Marquis (41) was able to score over 20 runs.
Luke Hill (3/34) was impressive for the Marygoons.
D GRADE
Pakenham will have to steady themselves on day two as they look to chase down the 196 runs posted by the Victorian Vikings. The Vikings were in strife as the top-order faltered, but the lower-order- led by Srikanth Vakiti (73) and Kanishka Wickramanayake (45) – worked hard to save the innings.
The Lions bowling attack was led by Jordan Seers (5/57) and Marcus Martini (4/41). Pakenham will commence day two at 2/13 as their openers fell cheaply late on day one.
NNG/Maryknoll posted a total of 171 against Emerald. Bryan Woodley (47) top-scored for the Marygoons and Dale Street (3/16) was extremely effective for the Bombers. In reply, the Bombers sit at 0/7.
Lang Lang’s bowlers took over on day one against Merinda Park. Despite the best efforts of Craig Robertson (58), James Weitering (7/31) was near unplayable in 16 deadly overs for the Tigers. With Weitering tearing the Cobras apart, Merinda Park was dismissed for 123.
In reply, the Tigers sit at 1/9 after 21 overs.
Kooweerup look to have the upper hand against Carlisle Park. A total of 181 was posted by the Demons as Thinesh Sivatnanam (60) top-scored with a brilliant half century and Stephen Godfrey (4/30) took key wickets.
In reply, the Vikings are struggling at 4/32 as the Demons took key wickets late on day two, powered by a terrific spell from Riley Battams (2/16).
E GRADE
The bowlers took over in the match-up between Officer and Merinda Park. The Bullants were dismissed for just 81 as Rodney Morrison (3/2) and John Cuthbertson (2/1) ripped through the line-up. Aidan Pipicelli (23) top-scored for Officer.
In reply, Merinda Park was in disarray from the outset and could only muster 49 runs as Greg Henderson finished with the extraordinary figures of 6/12. Officer will commence day two at 0/6.
Clyde is in a dominant position heading into day two after posting a total of 6/290. Brett Whittingham (128) was superb all day, highlighted by the 175-run partnership between he and Shem Smith (50). Shane Jack (50) also scored a half century.
Devon Meadows will be looking to defend its total of 197 against Tooradin when play resumes this weekend. The Panthers – led by Peter Zauner (48) and Antony Scott (40) – posted the strong total, while Kaine Bundy (3/34) and Wayne Mannix (3/58) bowled well for the Seagulls.
Cranbourne Meadows chased down Nyora’s first innings total in a day that saw plenty of runs scored. The Maroons posted a total of 154 as Keith Maclure (61) and Dylan Ford (54) scored half centuries, while Mark Zoldak (3/29) bowled well for the Rebels.
In reply, Cranbourne Meadows will enter day two at 4/170 after Trevor Poole (68 not out) and Roger Cotterell (37) did plenty of damage.
F GRADE
Cardinia is in the box seat against Catani. The Cats batted first, but at 3/7 struggled mightily from the outset. If not for Cameron Wagstaff (45) and Ben Ferrari-Mela (45), Catani would’ve been in danger of not making it past 20 runs. Incredibly, the remaining batsmen could only muster 11 runs between them and five were dismissed for ducks.
Ray Perkins (4/15) had a day out, while Chris Remy (2/13) and Ryan Webster (2/20) also revelled in the spoils to have Catani all out for 114. In reply, the Bulls sit at 1/41 with Kobe Boswell (19 not out) and Branden Thompson (9 not out) at the crease.
Pakenham is in control against Merinda Park heading into day two of their clash. The Cobras posted a total of 140 as Mathew Harper (54) top-scored and Brock Callaghan-Height (3/37) took key wickets.
In reply, the Lions will enter day two at 0/50 with Rodney Downes (27) and Matthew Davidson (20) at the crease.
There is a low-scoring, but enthralling battle taking shape between Clyde and Cranbourne Meadows. The Cougars batted first and posted a total of 129 as Chintan Swadia (45) saved their innings from a total collapse. Adrian Savage (4/27) and Kieran Amey (3/30) were in fine form for the Rebels.
Chasing a total of 130 for the win, Cranbourne Meadows is in trouble, sitting at 5/50 with a day to play. Coby Hodgson (2/12) and Jake Hodgson (2/19) were key late on day two as they simply didn’t allow any Rebel batsmen to feel comfortable.
Devon Meadows had the bye.
