By Nick Creely
DDCA TURF 2 AND 3
REVIEW – ROUND 11
TURF 2
What a performance from the Parkmore Pirates.
Not only did the second-placed Pirates grab an even firmer hold of a top-two spot, but in the process, put a major dent in Cranbourne’s finals hopes at home on Saturday.
Hosting the Eagles in the 40-over match, the Pirates rolled the visitors for just 99, with skipper Sandun Dias (47) battling valiantly with little support around him.
Pirate pair Niranjen Kumar (3/15) and Ammar Bajwa (3/21) bowled superbly for the home side, while Iftikhar Rauf (2/20) was incredibly difficult to get away.
And the home side wasted little time in running the total down, with Bajwa (51 not out) and Bevan Corneille (44) doing the damage in a nine-wicket win that took just 22.2 overs to complete.
The loss is particularly denting for the Eagles, who now sit seventh and six points away from fourth position, while the Pirates hold a nine-point buffer in second.
Down at Greaves Reserve, it was an absolute top-four blockbuster between Dandenong West and Dingley, but the top-placed Dingoes once again found a way to claim the points.
The Dingoes were once again well-served by star all-rounder Matt Hague, who crunched 87 as the home side racked up 4/207 from its 40 overs, with fellow all-rounder Christo Otto (37 not out off 25 balls) providing some late fireworks.
But the Westers – who have been a terrific batting side so far this season – were always going to give the chase a shake, with in-form skipper Hari Krishan and fellow opener Jass Dhaliwal (43) putting on 81 runs in little time to sit in a strong position.
However, a collapse – sparked from some strong bowling from Milan Rathnayaka (2/41) and Calvin Barlow (2/32) – saw the Westers fall to 5/144 and needing a lifter to get home.
But the wicket of Krishan for a 70-ball 81 saw the Westers tumble out for 192, with Dyllan Andrews (3/32) rummaging through the tail on the way to victory/
Down at Barry Powell Reserve, Lyndale and Beaconsfield played out an incredible tie.
The Tigers were sent in to bat first, but could only scrambled its way to 125 after a late burst from Callan Tout (25 not out) at the end of the innings.
In reply, Jason Dodd (3/28) and Jack Benbow (3/8) controlled proceedings with the ball for the visitors, but the Dales – off the back of Yohan Soyza (35) – managed to get into a winning position.
But sticking to script, the Dales were rolled for 125 off the final ball of the day, with the two sides splitting points, meaning the Tigers would be sitting outside the top-four after the round by just three points.
In the final game of the round, Narre Warren (8/290) dominated Narre North (146) in a vital win for the Magpies that sees them hold a three-point buffer in fourth position.
TURF 3
Lynbrook’s outstanding form continued on Saturday, with the Lakers brushing aside the struggling Coomoora.
After winning the toss and batting, the Lakers reached a competitive 9/177, with Varun Singh continuing his fine season with a well-made 65 through the middle order, while with the ball Paul Hill (3/33) was the pick of the bowlers for the Roos.
But despite the home side firming for victory at stages, class and some vital experience saw the Lakers restrict the Roos to 9/157 in a strong all-round bowling effort after a less than ideal start to the innings.
Parkfield also maintained its hold on top of the table after an extremely comfortable win against Fountain Gate at home.
Despite a strong 42 from Rodni Kumara for the Gators, the visitors were restricted to just 9/123 from its 40 overs, with Nico Jefferey (3/28) once again superb for the home side with the ball.
The home side had very little to worry about in the chase, and despite losing a couple of consecutive wickets, an unbeaten 36 from skipper Stephen Cannon and a well-made 34 from opener Matt Goodier saw the top-side win with five wickets and seven overs left to play with.
Silverton banked a vital win as it looks to secure a finals berth, brushing aside Keysborough in a hugely important result.
The fourth and fifth placed sides went to battle at Rowley Allan Reserve, but the Bakers were just too good on the day.
The Knights won the toss and batted first, where skipper Jackson O’Brien slapped an outstanding 94 for his side, but with little help around him, the home team could only muster up 140, with Wijenayake Weerarathna (3/41) once again causing issues with the ball.
The Bakers showed terrific intent with the chase, proving itself as one of the danger sides if they’re able to sneak into finals, running down the total just two wickets down in 25 overs. Selva Tharaka starred with the bat to make an unbeaten 56 for the visitors.
And in the final game of the round, Springvale (9/177) just held off Berwick Springs (9/175) in a thrilling clash at Ericksen Street, with Nasrat Malikzada the star with 79 for the Demons.
