By Hayley Wildes
WGCA LOWER GRADES
REVIEW – ROUND 13 (DAY ONE)
In one of the more extraordinary knocks in recent memory, a rising star of the Cardinia Cricket Club shone bright on day one of their F Grade clash against Merinda Park.
Branden Thompson’s sublime knock of 158 is an incredible effort in anyone’s book, let alone a player that is just 14 years of age. The youngster, who opened the Bulls batting, punished the Cobras bowling attack with reckless disregard, leading his side to a massive declared total of 5/385 off just 43 overs – a run rate of almost nine per over.
His absurd innings included two memorable partnerships; a 108-run stand with Tony Cianter (45), before pairing with skipper Chris Remy (99) for 199 runs.
In reply, the Cobras stand at 5/112 and it’s fair to say the Bulls are very much in the box seat entering day two. Clearly not content with his 158 runs, Thompson (1/14) also claimed a key wicket late on day one.
B GRADE
Catani struggled with the bat against Aura Vale, but fought back strongly with the ball on day one of their clash.
The Cats were sent into bat by the Lakers and were unable to string partnerships together as Chris Webb (4/43) and Aaron Corrin (3/20) bowled well. Eventually, Catani declared at 9/130.
In reply, the Lakers batsmen also struggled and Danny Brewster’s (2/3) six over spell handed the Cats back the momentum. The Lakers will begin day two at 4/22.
Emerald (8/260) was impressive on day one against Officer. The Bombers – led by great knocks from Mitch Copey (91) and skipper Brad Trinnick (62) – powered along all day and have set the Bullants a tough total to chase.
Devon Meadows (9/219) got fantastic contributions from Luke Howard (78) and Henry Dolphin (57) at the top of the order, but all others – aside from Darren O’Brien (30) – failed to fire as Sami Muzaffar (3/49) and Munish Mahajan (3/72) claimed key wickets.
Carlisle Park put forth a great team effort against Tooradin to post a first innings total of 259.
Viking openers Mike Chapman (57) and Iqbal Soi (30) got the innings off to a strong start it paved the way for the likes of Brendan McCarthy (34), Garry Godfrey (33) and Gaurav Dutt (32) to add valuable runs later in the innings.
Owen Johnstone (4/52) was the pick of the Seagull bowlers.
C GRADE
Officer’s opening batsmen put on an absolute clinic against Clyde. Captain Matthew Lucas (101) and Tony Smith (112) combined for a first-wicket partnership of 215 to quickly dampen the spirits of the Cougars bowlers.
The pair combined for 33 boundaries in one of the best opening stands of the season and with Adrian Woods (49 not out) standing up in the middle order, the Bullants posted the imposing total of 6/306. Nicholas Miles (4/102) battled hard in his 20 overs of work.
It’s been a battle of the bowlers in the match-up between Upper Beaconsfield and Pakenham. The Maroons were sent into bat first and with Jordan Seers (7/13) in near unplayable form, Upper Beaconsfield had no answers.
Seers’ nine over spell was one of the more dominant bowling displays we’ve seen in some time as he completely demolished the Maroons batting line-up. Incredibly, Upper Beaconsfield lost their final seven wickets for just nine runs to be all out for 99 runs.
The Lions are struggling to chase down the required 99 runs in what quickly became a low-scoring affair. Pakenham will resume play on day two at 4/48 after Jack Sharlassian (2/16) took key wickets late on day one.
Cranbourne Meadows was no match for a rampaging Cardinia outfit. The Rebels elected to bat first, but with Matthew Scott (4/39) and Grant Ansalde (3/24) on fire, Cranbourne Meadows’ batsmen fell thick and fast, to be all out for just 99 runs.
In reply, Cardinia stands at 1/32 after 17 overs.
Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll’s innings got off to a terrible start and it didn’t get much better. Taking on Pakenham Upper/Toomuc, the Marygoons lost opener Alan Downes (0) before troubling the scorers and it continued going downhill from there.
Only Brenton Huyskens (17) and Nick Mueller (14) made it to double figures as seven batsmen made two runs or less. Corey Moncrieff (5/18) had a field day and in 45 overs, the Marygoons were dismissed for just 60 runs.
In reply, after 21 overs, the Yabbies stand at 2/30.
D GRADE
Merinda Park will be looking to defend its total of 180 when play resumes on day two against Pakenham. The Cobras were led by a strong partnership between Brett Armitage (40) and skipper Craig Robertson (54), who steadied the innings after losing early wickets.
David Searle (4/21) led Merinda Park’s bowling attack superbly. In reply, the Lions faced two tricky overs to finish the day and will enter day two at 0/3.
The Victorian Vikings will be looking for an outright win against Carlisle Park. Batting first, Carlisle Park crumbled miserably for just 69 runs in 29 overs as Srikanth Vakiti (3/12) led the way for the Victorian Vikings.
In reply, the Victorian Vikings have slammed on the runs and enter day two at 7/223. Gaurav Choudhary (64) and Kanishka Wickramanayake (52 not out) produced impressive half centuries, while Ronald Osborne (4/36) was the pick of Carlisle Park’s bowlers.
Emerald has set Lang Lang a mighty task heading into day two. The Bombers got strong starts from a variety of players and with Ian Crosher (80 not out) and Jayson Brown (61) leading the way, posted a total of 295. Glen Easton (5/73) worked tirelessly for the Tigers in 25 overs of bowling.
Easton is backing up his fine bowling display with the bat and looks likely to be the key for Lang Lang on day two. The Tigers will resume play at 1/38 with Easton (27 not out) looking the goods.
Kooweerup put on a batting clinic against Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll. The Demons had eight batsmen score at least 19 runs, highlighted by Jesse Depasquale (60), Daniel Tannahill (53) and Brent Wilson (46).
The Marygoons struggled to make inroads, despite the best efforts of Ryan Tocknell (3/45) and Colin Hodson (3/56), as the Demons posted the big total of 315.
E GRADE
Pakenham Upper Toomuc struggled with the bat against Tooradin, but Chris Vernal (124) saved the day. Vernal was in devastating form as he steadied the innings to lead the Yabbies to a very defendable total of 241. Kaine Bundy (3/47) was the pick of the Seagulls bowlers.
Devon Meadows’ Brett Irvine (49) and Antony Scott (49) scored well and the Panthers will be defending a total of 215 against Officer on day two. Sean Chamberlain (4/18) led the way for the Bullants.
Cranbourne Meadows will be defending 244 runs against Clyde on day two. Trevor Poole (62) led the way for the Rebels as five batsmen scored at least 30 runs. Ben Knowles (6/59) was dangerous all day with the ball and was rewarded with wickets throughout the innings.
Nyora posted a total of 258 against Merinda Park as Aidan Simmons (60), Kevin Bongers (56), Adam White (44) and Nathan Smith (39) made valuable runs. Scott Strang (4/58) was the pick of Merinda Park’s bowlers.
F GRADE
Led by 14-year-old Branden Thompson (158) and skipper Chris Remy (99), Cardinia posted the massive declared total of 5/385 against Merinda Park. In reply, the Cobras sit at 5/112 after 24 overs.
Clyde is in deep trouble against Catani. The Cougars batted first, but were dismissed for just 118 as John Barrow (3/29), Cameron Wagstaff (2/32) and Matt Coleman (2/1) took multiple wickets.
In reply, the Cats – with Danny Parsons (51 not out) at the crease – will resume day two at 1/73.
Pakenham failed to put runs on the board against Devon Meadows as Robert Worsteling (3/26) bowled well for the Panthers. The Lions had strong starts from multiple players, but none were able to go on and were dismissed for 114 runs.
Corey D’Alton (47) fell just short of a half century, but the Panthers are in complete control, sitting at 3/112 heading into day two.
Cranbourne Meadows had the bye.
