By David Nagel
It’s hard to imagine that Tooradin (0/90) could be in any better form heading into its match-of-the-day against Cardinia this week after another dominant performance – this time against Cranbourne Meadows (88) at Westernport Oval.
The Seagulls – who did a similar demolition job on Merinda Park last week – are flying high and ready for the short trip to Gunton Oval to take on the rebounding Bulls on their own deck.
Cal O’Hare and his boys have won all four games this year – three in stunning fashion, while a last-ball win over Pakenham has been their only real test to date.
Saturday’s contest – well it was decided pretty quickly!
Skipper Sunny Paul (27), Harkamal Khokhar (17) and Rupinder Singh (15) were the only Rebels to show any real sign of resistance as the talented quartet of Dylan Sutton (3/18), Russell Lehman (2/6), Kallan Braid-Ball (2/25) and Jack Mannix (2/33) made regular inroads.
Lehman’s return to the bowling crease – from injury – was particularly impressive with the best seamer in the business having the ball on a string…conceding just six runs from 5.1 overs of high quality.
Sutton also continued his great season to date, while Josh Lownds may not have hit the scoresheet but his four maidens from five overs stopped anything from getting out of hand.
The Seagulls then let rip with another dominant display with the willow, with Brad Butler (62 not out) in a belligerent mood – crunching six fours and a power-laden six in a rapid 39-ball stay at the crease.
Butler is proving a real weapon for O’Hare this season – averaging the Bradman-esque number of 107 after being dismissed just once so far this campaign.
Lehman (27 not out) was more circumspect from his 33 balls but showed the all-round talent that will come in very handy against the reigning champs this weekend.
The Seagulls won with an incredible 28 overs to spare – a smashing in any language!
