Remy revels as Bulls lead the charge

Noah Parraga claimed 4/22 to play a key role in Officer’s C Grade victory over Pakenham. 258780 Pictures: ROB CAREW

By David Nagel

Ice packs and Voltaren were being put to good use on Sunday as some of the veteran performers of West Gippsland cricket returned to the crease seven weeks later than expected in the minor grades on Saturday.

But the extra downtime didn’t diminish the quality and skill of some proven performers with Cardinia stalwart Chris Remy providing the individual highlight – crunching an unbeaten 90 in the Bulls big F Grade win over Pakenham Red.

Remy has played the game at a much higher standard, and his class stood out as he led the Bulls to a convincing 7/219 from their allotted 40 overs.

Opener Yohan La Brooy (39) provided the main support for Remy with the pair putting on a 58-run stand. Ash Jones (20) and Ben Monckton (19) were also amongst the runs as the Bulls built themselves a winning score.

James Ahern (2/12) and Robbie Auld (2/14) stuck to their guns for the Lions, who made 9/120 in reply. Tarrant Millar (24) and Arshdeep Singh (21) battled hard for the Lions while Ben Monckton (2/8) completed a great game with bowling honours for the Bulls.

In other F Grade games, Devon Meadows (6/146) took just 32 overs to hunt down Pakenham Upper/Toomuc (8/144) at Selandra Reserve.

Veteran Peter Zauner (3/5 off 8) was the star for Devon with the ball, with Mark Hosking (44), Zauner (35) and Lincoln Hepburn (31*) getting the job done with the willow.

Mark McDonald (53 and 2/7) and Adam Tucker (49 not out) were best for the Yabbies on the day.

John Cuthbertson (66) and Devin Malcolm (4/25) helped Merinda Park (4/129) to a comfortable victory over Upper Beaconsfield (9/124), while Deepak Gusain (3/15), Shadab Anwer (3/17), Paul Hart (39) and Ravinder Marwaha (31*) helped Pakenham (7/137) to a strong win over Kooweerup (9/135).

Lang Lang defeated Clyde on a forfeit.

Clyde (3/107) sits at the top of the B Grade ladder after the Cougars made light work of Cardinia’s (106) total at Ramlegh Reserve.

The Bulls were brought down by Max Adams (3/28) and Craig Dodsworth (3/33) with the ball, before Steve Russell (61*) put his stamp on the run-chase with the bat.

Tyler Oates (20) was best for the Bulls, while club president Luke Turner (0) will need some time in the nets this after being caught out for a duck!

Devon Meadows (8/194) produced the best batting performance in B Grade, with Bill Halton (46), Billy Loudon (34), Mitchell Kleinig (31) and Shane Fisher (29) proving too strong for Pakenham Upper/Toomuc (115).

Skipper Mitchell Mibus (35) and veteran Ken McLeod (3.27) tried their hearts out for the Yabbies…but to no avail!

Jaswinder Gill (41), Tom Medwin (38) and Ash Bailey (3/25) were the stars of Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll’s (9/148) victory over a Luke Townsend (3/16) led Tooradin (122), while skipper Campbell Furze (43) steered Carlisle Park (6/132) to a good win over Emerald (6/130).

The Bombers bowled themselves out of the contest, sending down 23 wides in an extras total of 35. Harry Wardale (3/13) and Nick Karman (40 not out) were best of the beaten brigade.

A brilliant bowling performance from Upper Beaconsfield’s (97) Braedyn Bowden (4/13) wasn’t enough to get the Maroons across the line in their C Grade match against Clyde (117).

The Maroons looked in the box seat after Bowden and AJ Claxton (3/26) took the best shot of Cougars skipper Beau Hawkins (40), but their batters faulted badly in reply.

Denver Lewis (3/9) was the main destroyer for the Cougars, while Aaron Wooley (2/14) and Locki Terry (2/26) were more than able allies.

Officer (6/154) proved too strong for Pakenham (73) with a four-wicket haul to Noah Parraga (4/22) causing the Lions some grief at the Officer Rec Reserve.

The Bullants built a fine total through the efforts of Jayson Dryden (57) and Darren Kneebone (56) – who connected well in the middle order.

Scott Webster (30) was the only Lions to provide any resistance as Parraga and Brent Pullen (3/10) tore through their neighbouring club with ease.

Chris Smith (57*), Leigh Smith (26*) and Russ Jenkin (20) packed too many punches for Kooweerup (8/125) as Merinda Park (1/130) began its season in fine style, while Lang Lang (5/120) is on the board early after the Swampies proved too good for Gembrook (114).

Aaren Corrin (3/32) and Will Wykes (42) were best for the Swampies, while Dean McPherson (45) and Jeremy Everett (23) battled hard for the Brookers.

Apologies to our D and E Grade competitors…unfortunately the My Cricket website became unusable as we delved into those competitions for this week’s review.

In D Grade Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll (4/84) proved too strong for Tooradin (81), Devon Meadows (4/120) also made light work of Emerald 86, while Cardinia (1/116) had just one peg fall as the Bulls chased down the total of Cranbourne Meadows (109) with ease. Carlisle Park (1/114) also cruised to victory over Officer (9/111).

And in E Grade, Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll (2/59) sits at the top of the ladder after a crushing victory over Officer (57). Emerald (4/151) (R Jackel 52*) proved it could be a tough proposition this season with a hard-fought win over Clyde (6/145), while Merinda Park (8/106) had the upper hand over Pakenham Upper/Toomuc (7/102). Pakenham defeated Cranbourne Meadows via a forfeit