By Nick Creely
AROUND THE GROUNDS
VICTORIAN PREMIER CRICKET
ROUND 10
Courtesy of a searing Nathan Lambden spell and composed half centuries to Lachie Sperling and Jordan Wyatt, Casey-South Melbourne has started off 2019 in perfect fashion.
Not only did the Swans knock over a strong St Kilda side – albeit with a few names missing – they cemented themselves firmly inside the Victorian Premier Cricket top eight, such has been their extraordinary rise this season.
On a healthy looking Casey Fields pitch, it was obvious that for the batters, starting would be difficult, and that there was plenty on offer with the ball if the bowlers put it in the right spots.
But after winning the toss and batting, Luke Wells (14), Ryan Quirk (18) and Jared Maxwell (4) soon found themselves in the shed, with quick Henry Hall doing plenty of damage early.
Experience, and with just enough innovation to keep the scoreboard ticking along, Sperling (60) and Michael Wallace (33) dug in, forming a crucial partnership that took them to 3/117 before the departure of the latter brought the visitors back to level pegging.
Coming off some runs just before the break, the aggressive Jordan Wyatt (58) – a player that never allows a bowler to settle into a rhythm – combined with Sperling to continue to tick the score along, and eventually the Swans mustered up 9/235 off their 50, with some late wickets taken by the visitors pegging the score back slightly.
Often bowling without luck so far this season, Nathan Lambden (4/47) finally got just rewards with his efforts, with the Swans’ spearhead rummaging through the top-order early to leave the visitors 2/3.
It was just rewards for the talented quick, who after a quiet patch before Christmas, has got himself going now with 17 wickets at a touch under 25 next to his name.
Jackson Fry (2/30) – working well with the new ball with Lambden – kept things tight while the spearhead looked to take wickets.
A crucial partnership – similar to the first innings – began to unfold through the afternoon – with Damon Egan (50) and Josh Manning (46) fighting back, before Fry castled the stumps of the skipper to wrestle back the momentum and firmly have the Swans in command.
While the Saints managed to claw their way to 213 after a brilliant Patrick Rowe (62) cameo, the pressure applied by the likes of Lambden, Fry, Josh Dowling (1/48), Luke Wells (1/42) and Lachie Sperling (2/42) ensured the home side were never really threatened.
The seventh placed Swans face the 12th placed Northcote at Bill Lawry Oval on Saturday.
Dandenong, meanwhile, were unable to reel in Carlton’s first innings total to fall to a potentially costly loss at Shepley Oval.
The reigning premiers went into the Christmas break inside the top eight, but will now need to force their way back in after the Blues handed them the shock loss.
After BBL hopeful Brayden Stepien (64) once again excited to get the Blues off to a blistering start, the Panthers – courtesy of their skipper Tom Donnell (3/29), who took a rare star turn with the ball – managed to reel them in a dismiss them for 231 in the 50th over.
Darren Pattinson (2/42) and James Nanopoulos (3/49) were also in the wickets for the home side as they continued on with their fine form.
Despite Brett Forsyth (79) scoring yet another half century to take his tally to 642 at 71.3 for the year, the Panthers just couldn’t get a partnership together, with the Panthers rolled for 206 after a stunning spell of 5/45 to Blues quick Aaron Smillie proved too much to handle for the bottom order.
WARRAGUL DISTRICT
ROUND 9
Top of the table Western Park flexed their muscles to start the year with a bang, handing Ellinbank a loss at Western Park Reserve.
Excellent performances by star pair Daniel Sheehan (76 not out) and Leigh Diston (52) saw the home side recover from 4/105 to post an imposing 4/227 off their 40 overs.
While the Bankers gave it their all and looked likely at 2/145 after strong knocks to Matthew Farthing (65) and Sean Masterson (41), the visitors were eventually rolled for 200 in the 39th over, with Joel Batson (2/37), Tyler McDonald (2/38) and Troy Lehman (2/33) each snaring multiple wickets.
Drouin, meanwhile, proved far too strong for Jindivick at Kydd-Park Reserve, with the Hawks putting in a dominant display.
Reaching 8/261 after batting first, the Hawks rolled the Jumping Jacks for 123, with Dale Weller (6/23) absolutely dominating with the ball.
Yarragon also picked up a commanding victory, chasing down Buln Buln’s strong first innings total away from home.
The home side reached 220 after strong hands from Callum Stewart (62) and Daniel Hamilton (56), but the all-round brilliance of Gamini Kumara (5/37) gave the Panthers a chance.
Kumara backed up his effort with the ball to plunder an unbeaten 79, with Nuwan Perera (84) also dominating as the visitors ran down the total with four balls to spare.
And Neerim District (3/166) chased down Hallora’s 9/165 at Neerim South Recreation Reserve.
MPCA – PROVINICIAL
ROUND 9
Twin centuries by Sorrento pair Rob Wilson and Leigh Poholke brought about Pearcedale’s downfall at David Mcfarlane Reserve on Saturday.
The star pair put on over 150 as the Sharks powered to a dominant 5/268 off their 40 overs.
The Panthers couldn’t muster enough momentum to challenge, finishing on 8/166, with Brad Trotter top scoring with 40.
In other matches, Baxter (5/195) defeated Peninsula OB (8/194), Mornington (9/180) got the job done against Mt Eliza (154), while Langwarrin (8/209) continued their winning ways against Flinders (101).
VICTORIAN SUB-DISTRICT – NORTH/EAST
ROUND 9
Endeavour Hills picked up a morale boosting victory against finals fancy Kew, snaring their second win of the season at Syd Pargeter.
The Eagles scored 9/192, before shocking the visitors, rolling them for 177.
Noble Park (5/213), meanwhile, were dominant against Balwyn (132), with Parkers skipper Luke Wintle (98 not out) finishing just short of a century in a season that has netted over 400 runs so far.
