By Nick Creely
Once again, it took a vintage bowling display to guide Cranbourne to victory in DDCA Turf 2.
Last week, it was Marty Kelly, this week it’s Pardeep Boyal and Pete Sweeney, who scarily rattled through Lyndale’s batting line-up on the way to victory.
After setting the Dales 130 for victory at Barry Powell Reserve, the home side were in a strong position to ease to the win after finding themselves well set on 2/59, and with Himesh Galhenage Don (41) seeing them very well.
But Boyal and Sweeney powered the Eagles to victory with a stunning display as the home side crumbled, losing 8/8 in remarkable scenes and eventually succumbing for 67.
Boyal snared 5/12 from his 6.3 overs, while Sweeney was equally impossible to get through, snaring 4/6.
Beaconsfield’s impressive start to the season continued, meanwhile, with the Tigers downing Heinz Southern Districts at Reedy Reserve.
The Tigers were superbly led by ex-Sri Lankan Test batter Michael Vandort, who guided the visitors to a competitive 8/141 after his classy 43 from 80 balls.
Spinner Jordan Margenberg did all he could, snaring 5/27 from his 12 overs, while Jack Philpin (2/21) also did some nice things with the new ball.
Pressure got the best of the Cobras in the run-chase, with only Ethan French (28) providing any meaningful resistance eventually bundled out for 83 inside 36 overs.
Ashan Madushanka was once again a force, snaring 4/17 from his nine overs, while Brad Miles (3/9) did some of the late damage, including the key wicket of French.
Parkmore Pirates made light work of Dandenong West at Wachter Reserve, winning by seven wickets.
The Westers were impressive with the bat, seeing out their full 45 overs to post 173, with Heshan Perera the pick of the batters with a fluent 50, while skipper Anthony Brannan (30) also contributed strongly.
Ammar Bajwa did what he does best through the middle overs, snaring 4/49 from his 11 overs.
While the Westers managed to prize out key man Mohomad Safras early, it was Johann Brohier (72) and Abhinav Bhatia (53) that once again took the game away with a 123-run stand.
The pair – who have both started the season in top-notch batting form – guided the side home with ease.
And Parkfield had to battle and scrap but eventually succeed, fighting off a fierce Keysborough challenge before banking the points.
The Parkers posted 7/134 helped by a fighting hand by Zaron Chanel (50 not out) who rescued his side from a tricky position at 6/40.
The Knights always looked like escaping with a narrow victory, but the visitors rallied to dismiss the opposition for 126.
Dishan Malalasekera (4/31) showcased his class with the ball, while Nico Jeffery (3/24) was tidy and snared vital top order wickets of Jacob Hennigan and Stephen Hennessy.
