By Tyler Lewis
WGCA – DISTRICT DIVISION
REVIEW – ROUND 7 (DAY ONE)
A career-best knock from Ravindu Kodithuwakku has placed Carlisle Park in a commanding position over Pakenham Upper/Toomuc at stumps on day one.
Kodithuwakku smashed 125 from 192 balls in a clinical display with bat in hand, with the left-hander finding the fence 13 times and clearing it once on his way to a memorable knock.
When Kodithuwakku departed, James Giertz steadied the ship with an unbeaten 68 to guide the Vikings to a mammoth total of 6/297 from their 80 overs.
With the ball, Yabbies skipper Sahan Wijeratne did the heavy lifting, claiming 2/81 from 26 overs.
Clyde, meanwhile, posted a competitive total against Officer on day one.
After sending Clyde in, the Bullants would have been hoping for a dominant display with the ball to claim maximum points.
The Cougars were in early trouble at 3/37, but consistent starts through the middle order got them to 201.
Glen Tuckwell top scored with 43 for the Cougars, while with the ball Shaun Weir claimed 3/33 for the Bullants.
The Bullants batted two overs before stumps, making it through unscathed.
Emerald, meanwhile, is strongly poised overnight against Upper Beaconsfield.
The Bombers bowled the Maroons out for 177, with Jai Wardale (4/46) and Trent Rolfs (4/39) doing the brunt of the damage.
With seven overs to bat before the close of play, the Bombers got through unscathed and are 0/5 overnight, needing a further 173 for victory.
Currently sitting second last on the District ladder, a win would be crucial for the Bombers in their push for a finals berth.
If the sides in a strong position on day one prevail on day two, the results could see Officer claim top spot in the final game before Christmas.
SUB-DISTRICT
After being sent in by Cardinia, Tooradin set a strong total from its 80 overs on Saturday.
The Gulls got off to a horrid start with blade in hand, losing Owen Johnstone for a globe with only one run added to the scoreboard.
The Gulls seemed to lose their wickets in pairs throughout the day but stellar knocks from skipper and club president Ben Mantel (70) and Michael Ralph (72) ensured their side recorded a commanding total of 9/245 after day one.
With the ball for Cardinia, Ryan Little claimed 4/57 from his 12 overs.
After another half-century, Mantel remains one of five batsmen in the competition who average over 50, and his performance has the Gulls banging on the door of the top four if they are to snag victory over the Bulls.
Merinda Park, meanwhile, also holds the ascendancy over Pakenham at stumps on day one.
Visiting captain Brad Senior called incorrectly at the toss and was sent into field.
With six batsmen getting over double figures, the Cobras set a strong 250-run total.
Gloveman Craig Robertson saw off the shine of the brand new Kookaburra with 44, before Paul Wiles clipped 65 of the finest.
With the ball, youngster Tom Brennan showed the older boys how it’s done with 4/32 at the back end of the innings in his first Sub District match.
It was a very impressive day with the ball for the rising star, who claimed 2/12 in the morning in the under-16s and a total of 6/45 from 14 for the day.
The Lions had three daunting overs to contend with before stumps, which they got through unscathed, and currently sit 0/4 overnight with a big run chase ahead.
Lang Lang continued the trend of the day, posting its own monster total with the blade.
The Swamp Tigers opted to bat in terrific conditions and made the most of it, posting 9/276.
In a little bit of strife at 4/53, the game could have gone anywhere, but a scintillating performance by the middle order drove the Swamp Tigers to a strong total.
Niran Warnakula (55), Jeshan Pius (71) and Daniel Swinburne (51) all notched half-centuries in a great day with the bat for Lang Lang.
With the ball, Demons president Matt Davey played a lone hand, claiming 4/39 from his 10.
Cranbourne Meadows posted the biggest total of the day when it gave posting 300 a real crack.
The Rebels handed the Officer a mountain of runs to climb when it set 294 for victory.
The Bullants threw the ball around, giving seven bowlers the opportunity to change the game, but no one could stop the onslaught of runs.
Lachlan Porter claimed the four wickets from his 27 overs, but it came at a price, going for 126.
Lang Lang sits comfortably atop the Sub District ladder, and after a strong total will be in the box seat to surge further ahead this week.
