By Nick Creely
WGCA PREMIER DIVISION
REVIEW – ROUND 8
There’s no stopping Cardinia at the moment.
Jake Prosser’s Bulls are showcasing a ruthless edge, batting with its typical aggression and bowling with tremendous discipline.
It’s the recipe for the ultimate success, but there are still so many inevitable twists and turns yet to come in this Premier Divisions premiership race.
And the Bulls are now top-of-the-ladder in the Premier Division after an almighty scalp on Saturday – Kooweerup, its great rival.
In one of the biggest games of the season to date, the Bulls banked 12 vital points, but more importantly maintained an edge over its rival ahead of what looms as a mouth-watering finals series.
The tone was set early in Matt Welsh’s (2/12) new-ball spell, with Demons captain Chris Bright departing second ball of the match, and when the ever-dangerous Jess Mathers was run-out only overs later, the Demons found themselves 2/5 and with plenty of work to do.
Despite some fight from opener Lachie Ramage (22) and Steven Dillon (36), the Demons struggled to find enough momentum to post a hefty total.
With tight bowling from Welsh, a typically industrious spell from Travis Wheller (2/18) and Jake Prosser (2/22) controlling proceedings through the middle, the Demons were held to just 9/102 from its 40 overs, with only one Demon registering double-figures outside of the top four.
If there was any chance of the Demons pulling off a stunner, Bulls openers Alex Nooy and Travis Wheller made sure the heat was taken out of the game early.
The pair swiftly knocked up 91 for the first wicket, with Nooy crunching 41 before he was run-out, while Wheller remained unbeaten on 49 as the Bulls ran down the target with just the loss of one wicket.
Pakenham were certainly tested down at Toomuc Reserve against Upper Beaconsfield, but the Lions emerged with the points to have a hold on second spot by percentage.
It didn’t all go the way of the Lions after being sent in by the Maroons.
With the Maroons up and about, the Lions were at one stage 4/55 and with star skipper Dale Tormey back in the sheds without troubling the scorers.
But a typically classy hand from Chris Smith (63) and a vital 30 from Sean Gramc saw the Lions recover to post 7/169 from its 40 overs.
It was a timely knock for Smith, with the champ compiling his first half-century for the season for his club.
As he has made a habit out of in his time with the Lions, Dale Tormey (2/26) made his presence known, but this time with the ball as he drew out the wicket of Maroons openers Corey Joyce and Will Haines.
The middle-order had the same issues with the Lions giving the visitors absolutely nothing to work with, and despite some brief spark from Cooper Shipp (27 not out), the Maroons were restricted to just 9/134.
Aside from Tormey, Smith snared 2/18, youngster James Close impressed with 2/19 on debut, while Sean Gramc’s 2/24 was also important.
Merinda Park continue to make the top-four sides sit nervously, with the Cobras banking yet another victory, this time against Cranbourne Meadows.
As a result of the win, the Cobras sit six points away from fourth spot, and are just one slip up from a top-four side to break its way into finals calculations.
Runs were flowing down at Lawson Poole Recreation Reserve, with the Rebels racking up 8/220 from its 40 overs, with classy top-order bat Vishalbir Thind leading the way with 50, while opener Jaswinder Gill struck 46.
Despite a strong batting performance, Sasindu Perera was instrumental in keeping the score within reach, snaring 4/37 from his eight overs.
The Cobras had control for the most part in the chase, despite leaving it until the final six balls.
Daniel McCalman cashed in on a series of starts this season to register 56 for the Cobras, while gun keeper batsman Thuduwage Kumara (53) also impressed as the visitors got the runs with five wickets still left in the shed.
Jordan Bertrand also enjoyed the time in the middle, crunching 46 in a 99-run opening stand with McCalman.
That makes it three wins in a row for the surging Cobras, who are putting together an excellent 2020/21 campaign.
In the final game of the round, Tooradin picked up a win it simply had to against Clyde.
To keep the Cobras at bay, the Seagulls simply must bank the points against sides lower on the table, and Cal O’Hare’s side did just that.
The Seagulls were in early trouble after electing to bat, with the home side inflicting three early wickets to have the score 3/35.
But O’Hare (46), combined with Kade Burns (23) got the visitors back on track with a 48-run stand, before vital knocks from Brad Butler (46) and Dylan Sutton (42 not out) saw the Seagulls reach 8/205 – a very strong result after the shaky start.
Daniel Lever bowled superbly for the Cougars, snaring 4/34 from his eight overs.
The Cougars always seemed to stay in touch through the chase, but the Seagulls had enough class with the ball – largely through Butler (4/34) and Sutton (3/30) – who helped roll the home side for 162.
O’Hare also found some wickets, picking up 2/20, including the key scalps of Jagveer Hayer (38) and Pat Lawson (28).
There is very little time to take a breath with so much uncertainty still surrounding how this season could play out.
On Saturday, Kooweerup and Pakenham face off at Denhams Road in another blockbuster between the two powerhouses, with the winner hoping to stay in touch with top spot.
Earlier this season, the Demons got the points against the Lions at Toomuc Reserve, so Tormey’s group will be hoping to reverse that.
At Upper Beaconsfield, the Maroons will be hoping to spoil the Cardinia party in what is an intriguing clash, Merinda Park will be hoping to carry its momentum further with a win against Clyde, while Tooradin has a chance to solidify its top-four position with a win against Cranbourne Meadows.
