By Nick Creely
DDCA TURF 2 AND TURF 3
REVIEW – ROUND 8
TURF 2
The topsy-turvy nature of the Turf 2 table continues.
Dandenong West were one of the weekend’s biggest winners, knocking off Beaconsfield at Perc Allison Oval, and in the process surging to the top of the ladder.
The Westers were always going to be faced with a tough task against the in-form Tigers.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Tigers playing coach Nathan Goodes (6/38) caused serious headaches for the visitors, bowling brilliantly.
Despite falling to a tricky 7/106, the visitors rallied late through vital cameos from Shankey Jood (33) and Riley Siwes (24) to post 177 from its 45 overs.
Aside from Goodes, who ripped through the top-order to be the star of the first innings, veteran Brad Miles bowled tidily to snare 2/23 from his eight overs.
Utilising the momentum gathered with the bat, Siwes then took a star turn with ball in hand, snaring 5/31 from 7.3 brilliant overs to bowl his team to victory.
Despite a class hand from the talented Tyler Clark (63), who posted his second half-century for his new club, the Tigers were skittled for 121.
Shaun Weir’s excellent return season at the club continued, snaring 2/37 to be a perfect foil for Siwes.
The result is significant for the Westers, who now have three points separating them from second, and crucially in such a tight season are a game inside the top-four.
Parkfield’s excellent form continued, inflicting Cranbourne with an untimely loss at Casey Fields.
Showcasing how tight the season is, the loss has pushed the Eagles from first to outside the top-four in a matter of weeks.
The visitors batted well after winning the toss, racking up 7/189 from its 45 overs – sparked by an excellent opening stand from Matt Goodier (38) and Dishan Malalasekera (64).
The Eagles did, however, make some in-roads, largely through Pete Sweeney (2/29) and Martin Kelly (2/39), after a tough start and picked up its last six wickets for just 46 runs.
Despite a strong 104-run stand from the Sweeneys – Mick (59) and Pete (57) – an inspired bowling cameo from Nick Jeffery (5/32) was the catalyst in restricting the home side to 159.
Jeffery’s been an absolute star for the Bandits this season, with 21 wickets at the very tidy average of 13.2 next to his name.
Narre Warren were merciless in its victory against Lyndale at Sweeney Reserve.
The second-placed Magpies put in a complete all-round effort in the victory, sparked from a stunning start with the ball.
At one stage, the visitors were 1/37, before the Magpies – led by talented youngster Josh Cooper (4/9) – ripped through the middle and late orders to roll the visitors for just 79.
The Maggies clearly had dinner plans, racing down the target in just 14.4 overs, with Ben Swift crunching an entertaining 44.
In the final match, Parkmore Pirates flexed its muscles against Narre North to remain in touch with the top-four.
The North were restricted to just 105, with Madhawa Fonseka (3/24) the star of the show, while a host of others, Brad Vantwest, Ashwin Nash and Vibhav Damodaran all snared multiple wickets.
But it was with the bat that the Pirates thrilled.
Mohomad Safras took the game away with a brutal knock, belting an unbeaten 89 as the home side raced down the target with the loss of just the one wicket.
TURF 3
If you look up the definition of consistent, chances are the name Nuwan Mendis pops up.
The Springvale opener once again led the way for his top-of-the-table side in a comprehensive win against Silverton.
The ladder leaders had a bat first against the Bakers, with Mendis crunching a classy 97 as his side racked up a hefty total of 3/244 from 40 overs.
Mendis now has consecutive scores of 52, 46, 64, 69, 48 and now 97 in what has been a golden season that has almost seen 400 runs already. His knock was laced with seven fours and seven sixes.
Mendis was well supported by Hasindu Waduge, who belted an unbeaten 54.
The Bakers had a crack – largely through an outstanding knock from Selva Tharaka (94) – but fell short, bowled out for 148 in 37 overs.
Seamer Randeep Sahota (3/30) was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors.
Keysborough were also strong winners out of the weekend, dominating Berwick Springs.
It was a tough outing for the Titans with the bat, rolled for 110 in the 38th over despite a gritty knock from Stephen Brooks (48).
The Knights wasted little time in chasing down the runs, spending just 24 overs at the crease and with the loss of one wicket to snatch the points.
Jake Hennigan (52 not out) crunched his first half-century for the season, while Christo Otto (45 not out) was also in the runs for the visitors.
Coomoora continue to impress, and snagged another win, this time against fellow finals aspirant Fountain Gate.
In a tight and tense affair, almost finals-like, the Gators clawed its way to 127 – led by a vital 45 from skipper Caleb Millman. Michael Klonaridis (3/23) and Pasan Gajadeep (3/30) bowled well for the Kangaroos.
The Kangaroos were in deep trouble early, losing 3/14, and eventually 4/25 to struggle to keep in the contest.
Skipper Liam Hard (31) endured plenty of pressure to slowly but surely get his side back in the contest, but continual strikes ensured that the game would go right down to the wire.
But Avisha Wilwalaarachchi (32 not out) proved the decisive factor, putting together a cameo of serious substance to guide his side to a thrilling one-wicket win.
Wilwalaarachchi’s final wicket stand of 32 runs with Liam McCabe (two not out) proved the match-winner in the end.
Quick Ray Pal (4/29) could do very little to keep his side in the game.
In the final game of the round, an all-round starring performance from Doveton (9/156) skipper Ryan Hendy proved the difference against Lynbrook (149).
Hendy struck 68 with the bat, and snared 3/38 with the ball as his team held off the Lakers.
