By Lance Jenkinson
WGCA SUB-DISTRICT DIVISION
REVIEW – ROUND 8
There is one important rule for bowling lineups in the West Gippsland Cricket Association Sub-District to follow when coming up against Lang Lang batting supremo Rajind Dassanayake: get him early or suffer the consequences.
After failing to stick to that rule, Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll had to learn the hard way at James Bathe Reserve on Saturday, as Dassanayake went for the jugular for the Swamp Tigers, amassing 124 in his side’s 142-run victory.
It is not the first time this season that Dassanayake has taken the Marygoons to the cleaners, making 91 in their first meeting in the season opener.
It was his second century of the summer, having made 105 not out against ladder leader Tooradin in December.
Lang Lang was always going to be hard to stop after posting 6/276 off 40 overs.
Dassanayake got valuable assistance from Alan Jenkins (48), Niran Warnakula (31) and Alexander Giacco (26no) during the innings.
Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll got off to a strong start with Sukhwinder Sran (36) and Ashley Bailey (14) combining for 52 for the first wicket.
Aside from a 33-run third wicket partnership between Raj Singh (10) and Mansoor Ahmad (19), it fell away fairly quickly for the Marygoons.
Nathan McLean (3/29) and Jess Grima (3/27) were on target with the ball for Lang Lang.
Second-placed Lang Lang still holds a 24-point gap on third-placed Cranbourne Meadows, who lapped up a commanding seven-wicket win over Officer at Officer Recreation Reserve.
Nyora moved into fourth spot on the ladder with a 49-run victory over Pakenham at Nyora Recreation Reserve.
The Maroons were in fine fettle with the bat, posting 6/247 off its allotted 40 overs.
Daniel Esler produced the goods again for the Maroons with 90 off 99 balls.
It was Esler’s third half century this campaign.
Neil Clark (53) and Gavin Hackett (56) also made 50s for the Maroons.
There were just not enough contributors with the bat for Pakenham, who were all out for 198.
Skipper Stephen Insall was magnificent with 98 and Hiren Patel chipped in with 55, but they were the exception among a trail of failures on the Lions scorecard.
Ryan White did most of the damage for Nyora with 5/30 off seven overs.
The defeat leaves Pakenham stuck at the foot of the table.
