Open finals race awaits

Cam Williams sends one down for Emerald 198607 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

By Tyler Lewis

WGCA DISTRICT DIVISION

REVIEW – ROUND 1

In a remarkable Round 1 performance to kick off proceedings in the new competition, Upper Beaconsfield and Carlisle Park Springs shared the points with a tie.

Winning the toss, the Maroons opted to field and in the early stages it loomed as a masterstroke by skipper Daniel Brennan when his side had Carlisle Park 5/21.

Club president Kyle Gibbs was bowling hand grenades as he finished with the figures 2/5 from his eight overs while Brennan, himself, chimed in with 3/30 from his seven and the run out of his opposing skipper.

Number four batsmen James Giertz provided a steady hand for the visitors as he was unbeaten on 42 at the conclusion of the innings.

Along with Tanay Kataray (25), the Vikings had moved to a defendable total of 8/124 from their 40 overs.

In reply the Maroons got off to an encouraging start. Despite only registering nine runs, Corey Joyce played a solid hand in the opening partnership with Will Haines (39).

But after cruising along at 4/98 the Maroons began to drop like flies as wickets fell at both ends.

The home side lost 6/26 as Shawn Hassal was run out trying to sneak home for victory – leaving both sides tied on 124.

Emerald, meanwhile, coasted to victory with an over to spare and four wickets in the shed chasing Officer’s 8/149.

The Bullants got off to a strong start with the bat, bringing up the half century before the loss of a wicket through Brett Monagle (21) and skipper Ash Smith (26).

Unfortunately for the Bullants, once the two openers fell, the middle order shortly followed, swiftly moving to 5/82.

Michael Nell did the brunt of the damage with 4/22 and two run outs.

In reply, Emerald lost opener Mitch Copey with only seven on the scoreboard and looked a bit shaky at 3/49 before Trent Rolfs (42) and glovemen Mitch Rossborough (42) steadied the ship and guided the Bombers to victory.

Pakenham Upper/Toomuc joined the District competition in a flurry with a blasting run chase to defeat Clyde.

The Cougars opted to set the tone of the match with the bat at the toss and were bundled out from a strong team bowling performance. Sahan Wijeratne was the pick of the bowlers for the Yabbies with 4/22 and a run out leaving the Cougars all out for 132.

In reply it was the man of the moment Wijeratne who shone again – this time with the bat – as he blasted his way to 52 not out with nine boundaries.

Lachie Ramage, who joined the Yabbies from WGCA Premier outfit Kooweerup in the off-season, was also among with runs with 45 as the visitors chased the total in an impressive 25 overs.

Meanwhile, Emerald president Clinton Marsh is on the fence when it comes to the District competition’s structure at this stage, but he says it opens it right up for all sides to push for the finals.

“Being a six-team competition you are always going to be in the mix to make the finals,” he said.

“I think everyone is going to have a good chance at it this year.

“At Emerald we really like our chances – that is all we can control.

“We are going to make sure we are at high levels so that is how we see the season.

“Upper Beaconsfield, coming down from Premier, they will be out there going hard for top spot, and Pakenham Upper as well, coming up, they recruited well,” Marsh said.

WGCA SUB-DISTRICT DIVISION

REVIEW – ROUND 1

Officer’s score of 159 was comfortably chased by Cardinia in their season-opening clash on Saturday.

The Bullants were sent in to bat and performed admirably from the top.

After coming to the crease at 1/10, Wayne Duke batted out the rest of the innings, finishing unbeaten on 66, and he was accompanied by Daryl Hargreaves (54 not out) who also notched up a half century.

In reply, skipper Daniel Salvato guided his side to victory, carrying his bat for an unbeaten 64.

After losing Brad Remy, Salvato and Josh Grogan, who also registered a half century, took the game away from the Bullants.

With the ball, James Quinn toiled away for no reward as he finished with the figures 0/15 from five overs, while up-and-down seamer Nick McLennan was reasonable with the figures 1/17 from his six but proved to be wayward with the most wides of any player in the competition on the day.

Cranbourne Meadows, meanwhile, went down to Lang Lang in a low scoring affair.

The Rebels set Lang Lang 111 for victory after being bowled out in the 36th over of the day. Glen Easton was the pick of the bowlers with 3/17 from his eight overs.

In reply, the Swamp Tigers seemed to be comfortable as long as Rajind Dassanyake was at the crease.

With his 50, Dassanyake guided his side home.

Sibghat Ullah was the best with the ball for the Rebels with 2/25 from his eight overs.

Kooweerup flew home to victory in a fast run chase against Pakenham.

The Lions set the Demons 6/167 from their 40 overs with skipper Brad Senior (87) blasting the ball to all parts of the ground with nine boundaries and five maximums.

However in reply, the Demons made the total look elementary, passing the total two down and in the 27th over.

Each batsman got a start with opener Paul Bright the top run scorer with 49 for the Demons.

An all-around team performance from Tooradin handed the side its first win of the season against Merinda Park.

Michael Ralph led the way with the bat for Tooradin with 48, while Adrian Slater found rhythm with the ball for the Cobras with 2/27.

In reply, Merinda Park got off to a horrid start at 2/11 before the Tyson and Liam Bertrand combined for 59 in attempt to resurrect the innings.

When they both fell, the rest of the batting card trailed, falling 19 runs short of the target.

Gulls skipper – and club president – Ben Mantel was the pick of the bowlers with 3/23 from his seven overs.