By Nick Creely
DDCA TURF 2 AND 3
REVIEW – ROUND 2
TURF 2
What an astounding start to the season from Cranbourne stalwart Marty Kelly.
The long-time Eagles servant produced mind-boggling figures of 6/6 – career best first XI figures – against Parkfield in what was truly the perfect start to the 2020/21 Turf 2 season.
It was a performance that overwhelmed the Parkers, who couldn’t play Kelly’s stump-to-stump lengths, with the seamer bowling 8.3 overs, and also producing four maidens in his golden spell of bowling.
Earlier in the day, the Eagles set the visitors a modest 146 for victory after skipper Pete Sweeney’s classy 51.
Despite some fight from Zaron Chanel (33) and Travis D’Souza (30), the visitors struggled, eventually succumbing for 89 in 39.3 overs.
Kelly ripped the heart out with a bundle of early wickets, and proved unplayable to give his side some early season points, and a huge momentum booster.
Beaconsfield has got its season off to a strong start, with the Tigers eventually straightening themselves out after some shaky moments against Lyndale.
The Tigers were made to work for it all day, with the Dales being sent in but putting together a solid showing with 151 from 41.3 overs.
Himesh Galhenage Don was the pick of the batters with a classy 37 in tough conditions, while skipper Jake Cutting (3/31) and Ashan Madushanka (3/41) combined beautifully to snare regular wickets for the home side.
The Dales put themselves in a winning position by dismantling the Tigers top order, leaving the home side needing to scrap together a partnership at 7/81.
But Jesse Busacca (51 not out) came to the rescue, producing a clutch half-century, combining in a match-winning 72-run stand with the experienced Callan Tout (31 not out) to guide the Tigers home with three overs to spare.
Parkmore Pirates recruit Abhinav Bhatia fired his side home with an excellent batting display against Heinz Southern Districts.
The new-look Cobras showed some great signs with the bat after being sent in, racking up 8/181 after an excellent 47 from Ryan Patterson and an aggressive 34 from star recruit Triyan De Silva.
However, Bhatia, the gun addition from Coomoora sparkled with a typically classy half-century, punching out 81 and guiding the chase home.
Johann Brohier was the perfect foil, crunching 38, with the pair consolidating after two early wickets to see the side home with two balls to spare.
In the remaining match, Keysborough filed an early-warning shot with a commanding win against Dandenong West at Greaves Reserve.
The Knights were merciless, setting 169 for victory after a strong batting display, before skittling the Westers for just 49, with captain-coach Christo Otto absolutely dominant with 4/9.
TURF 3
Gun Springvale opener Nuwan Mendis was a tremendously consistent Turf 3 star last season, producing 596 runs at 49.67 with a staggering seven half-centuries from 14 knocks.
This was all after starting that season with a duck.
But this time around, the aggressive opening batter has produced a golden opening round display, spanking a memorable 126 against Silverton – ironically the same team he played in the opening game last season – with the swashbuckling Demon whacking a remarkable 11 sixes.
In his century, Mendis scored 94 runs in boundaries, with an extra seven fours to add to his total.
Mendis’ freakish knock came in quick time – he was out with the score at 232 – before the Demons went a little further and set 276 for victory in 40 overs.
The Bakers were always up against it, eventually restricted to 9/119 from their 40 overs, with Scott Lindsay (2/24), Harmandip Sahota (2/18) and Mick De Kauwe (2/22) all contributing strongly with the ball.
Down at Narre Warren North, Fountain Gate produced an equally remarkable – yet slightly different performance.
Up against Narre North, the visitors sent the home sent in to bat, before restricting them to the total of 6/54 from 40 overs in quite incredible scenes.
Going at just 1.35 per over, the home side just couldn’t get the scoreboard ticking over, with Mustaffa Waseem (2/6) the pick of the bowlers in an even team display.
The Gators took just 7.1 overs to run down the total and without the loss of a wicket, with some Jahanzeb Mirranay (36 not out) firing the visitors home.
Down at Robert Booth Reserve, Hampton Park’s life in Turf 3 began with a tough loss to a fired-up Doveton.
The Doves produced a powerful opening round display, overcoming a tricky start at 3/43 to post an imposing 5/213, with recruit Mitch Daley (46), skipper Troy Hancock (46), Ricky Johnson (46) and Kaine Bundy (51 not out) all firing with the blade in the latter overs.
The Redbacks – who will take a lot out of the game and will be better for the run – were rolled for 104, with the reliable Kenny Smart (3/22) doing his best work.
And Coomoora (6/214) got the season off to a bright start with a hard-fought win against Lynbrook (9/184) at Marriott Waters Reserve.
