By Nick Creely
DDCA TURF 2 AND 3
REVIEW – ROUND 10
Parkmore Pirates emerged victorious in a last-over thriller against Beaconsfield on Saturday at Perc Allison Oval.
It was a close encounter in the top-four clash throughout, with both sides desperate to further entrench themselves within the finals race.
The Pirates sent the Tigers in to bat, and immediately broke through with dangerous opener Michael Dunstan back in the sheds.
But strong hands from top-order batsmen Brendan Johnson (34), Ryan O’Connor (34), as well as a typically industrious knock from Brad Miles (26) kept the scoreboard ticking.
The visitors rallied late, with Amal Athulathmudali (2/37) and Ammar Bajwa (2/33) helping restrict the home side to a manageable 7/168 off its 40 overs.
The Tigers also snared an early-wicket as it looked to defend the target, but just like the previous innings, a series of important contributions, this time from Bevan Corneille (31), Anurudhdha Fonseka (35) and Madhawa Fonseka (34 not out) saw the Pirates bring the game down to the wire.
Despite the Tigers’ best efforts, the Pirates found the runs and the crucial points, winning with four balls to spare and five wickets left in the shed.
Down at Souter Oval, Dingley once again proved dominant, this time against Narre Warren.
The Magpies were rolled for 110 by the Dingoes after winning the toss and batting, with Calvin Barlow (3/20) and Matt Hague (3/14) starring with the ball.
It took just under an hour for the Dingoes to race down the total with ease, with Hague (70 off 49) absolutely dominating proceedings in a stellar all-rounders performance.
The Dingoes sit 12 points clear on top of the Turf 2 ladder after the victory.
Lyndale upset Cranbourne, meanwhile, putting a dent in the Eagles’ finals hopes at Casey Fields.
Sitting fifth and equal on points with Beaconsfield in fourth, the Eagles needed the vital points to climb into the top-four.
The Lyndale side set just 134 after being sent in to bat, with Eagles bowlers Tim Fathers (3/24) and Jordan Margenberg (3/30) doing the bulk of the damage.
But an excellent strangling bowling effort from the visitors reduced the home side to 9/129 off its 40 overs, with Kane McConchie (3/24) in particular doing a superb job, particularly in an influential new-ball spell.
In the final game of the round, Dandenong West (5/163) easily accounted for Narre North (9/160), with skipper Hari Krishan blasting 93 in the win.
With Beaconsfield in fourth and equal on points with Cranbourne, Narre Warren and Lyndale outside the four respectively, round 11 shapes as another season-defining with another one-day clash. Parkmore Pirates take on Cranbourne at home, Narre Warren can make a move when they host bottom-placed Narre North, Lyndale and Beaconsfield at Barry Powell poses as a beauty, while Dandenong West and Dingley will do battle in a top-four blockbuster.
TURF 3
Lynbrook enhanced its reputation as a side to keep an eye on at the pointy end of the season after knocking over Keysborough in a top-four clash at Marriott Waters.
The Lakers have built into the season superbly, and worked some magic with the ball after the dangerous Knights side elected to bat.
Despite an encouraging start by the openers, the Lakers always had the answers, rolling the visitors for just 107, with Kyle Murdoch top-scoring with 32.
Jesse Walia (3/14) and Varun Singh (3/25) were superb with the ball for the home side, while Medie Dala (1/6 off 5.4 overs) bowled with great accuracy.
It was danger signs early as the Lakers lost an early wicket, but a terrific and unbeaten half-century from Indunil Wickramasinghe (50) saw the home side coast to victory with seven wickets and 10 overs to spare.
Silverton also proved that it doesn’t wasn’t to just make up the numbers, dispatching Coomora by a whopping 10 wickets at home.
The Roos had a bat first after being sent in, and were dismissed for just 107, with Dimuth Weerarasinghe (3/18) and Adam Welcome (3/21) causing headaches for the opposition.
The home side took just 26 overs to race down the target and without a wicket lost, with young gun Jesse McCarthy (78 not out) playing an absolute blinder with the bat in another terrific sign of his talent.
Springvale were another side to bank a dominant win, with the Demons defeating Fountain Gate at Max Pawsey Reserve.
The Demons could just muster up 121 in the first innings, with Radomir Badzoka (40) doing the bulk of the scoring, but it proved to be a match-winning score on a tough day for batting.
The Gators struggled to see off seamer Sachintha Rajapakse (4/19) on his way to a match-winning bowling effort, while Harmandip Sahota (3/32) helped roll the home side for just 82 in response.
In the remaining Turf 3 match, Parkfield (8/148) defeated Berwick Springs (137), with Travis D’Souza (73) starring for the Parkers as he continues his dominant season, crossing 300 runs to go along with his 16 wickets.
