Panthers make their move

Kooweerup quick Tiron Fernando bends his back during his spell of 4/27 on Saturday. 189314 Pictures: ROB CAREW

By Nick Creely

WGCA PREMIER DIVISION

REVIEW – ROUND 10

At this stage of the season, it’s all about making the little moments count in matches.

One little slip up could be costly considering the difference between third and fifth is just a mere eight points.

Devon Meadows emerged as the big winners of the round, surging into fourth spot, displacing Tooradin after a barnstorming victory against Upper Beaconsfield at Glover Reserve on Saturday.

The Panthers taught the Maroons a stern lesson, dominating the encounter from start to finish after winning the toss and electing to bat.

A series of contributions from Luke Hamilton (42), Ryan O’Connor (28), Kyle Salerno (30) and skipper Jason Dodd (25) towards the back end saw the home side reach an imposing 214 after being bowled out in the final over of the innings.

While the Maroons battled to contain the firepower of the Panthers, Kyle Gibbs (2/20), Daniel Brennan (2/35), Shawn Hassall (2/45), Scott Pitcher (2/37) and Will Haines (2/40) each snared multiple wickets.

The Maroons were unable to recover after two early blows left them 2/13, with Dodd (3/20), Lucas Carroll (2/9) and O’Connor (2/18) doing a fine job to rattle through the visitors for just 94.

It gives the Panthers a strong launching pad towards the back-end of the season, with a relatively comfortable run home against Merinda Park, Tooradin, Cardinia and Pakenham.

Tooradin, meanwhile, will need to rally to get their season back on track after ladder leading Kooweerup gave them no chance during their clash at Tooradin.

The Seagulls were stunned by an excellent bowling display to quick Tiron Fernando (4/27), who helped the visitors restrict the home side to just 9/126 off their 40, a total well under par against the competition’s most dominant side.

Aaron Avery (30), as well as skipper Brenton Adams (26), did their best to keep the scoreboard moving, with the latter retiring hurt after being hit in the shoulder by a ball while he was at the non-strikers end.

Mark Cooper’s side were dealt with a couple of early wickets, but young guns Tyler Clark (44 not out)and Mitch Cammarano (36 not out) showed great poise to help guide the Demons to a comfortable six-wicket win with over nine overs left to spare.

It’s been a highly impressive start to his career at the Demons for Clark – in particular this season – with the stylish top-order batsman crunching 261 runs at 32.6 from his nine innings to date, including three half centuries.

Pakenham also well and truly stamped their authority with a brilliant performance against a struggling Cardinia at Toomuc Reserve.

The Bulls were resigned to their third straight defeat, and they were never really in the game against the Lions.

After winning the toss and batting, the Lions bowled superbly, rolling the visitors for just 90 despite a solid knock from Matt Welsh (33), with Troy McDermott (4/21) in fine touch, while Dale Tormey (2/0) and Chris Smith (2/16) also causing problems.

It took a mere 63 balls for the Lions to claim the points, with Ben Maroney’s stunning 69 – a knock that included 11 fours and a six – guiding the home side to victory with just one wicket down.

Smith (22 not out) also continued his strong form with another assured knock.

And Clyde, meanwhile, defeated Merinda Park at Clyde Recreation Reserve to continue to place pressure on the top four.

The Cougars celebrated their Past Players Day at the club on Sunday to coincide with the Premier clash with the Cobras, and saluted it in great style with a solid win.

After sending the Cobras in, Nick Sadler (1/23) shattered the stumps of star bat Daniel McCalman off just the second ball of the match, and despite restoring the innings with a 47 run stand that included an entertaining knock from Yuvraj Gill (36), the visitors soon found themselves 7/69 after Matt Aslett (5/27) tore through the middle order.

An absolutely brilliant 69-run stand from Leigh Paterson (48) and Mathew Campbell (49) for the 10th wicket saw the Cobras somehow reach 177, a highly competitive total.

The Cougars couldn’t have got off to a worse start, losing Brett Reid, John Simpson and Daniel Walton in the opening overs to be 3/5, but skipper Kiefer Peries (40) withstood the pressure to get the innings back on track.

After the wicket of Peries, Jason Hameeteman (61) and Kane Avard (60) brought the target within reach, before a late surge saw the visitors have the Cougars 9/174.

A massive six from Sadler eventually secured the points in the final over of the match, in what was a thrilling end to an important day for the club.