By David Nagel
The West Gippsland Cricket Association (WGCA) Premier Division would appear perfectly poised as we head into the Christmas break with the two undefeated teams – Kooweerup and Tooradin – set for back-to-back blockbusters to kick things off in the New Year.
The Demons and Seagulls have certainly earned an extra slice of ham at the Christmas table this Saturday – setting a hot pace that reigning premier and flag favourite Cardinia now needs to match.
The reigning champs have suffered back-to-back losses against their most serious title challengers over the last fortnight, but the inclusion of the reigning league medalist, and their inspirational leader, Jake Prosser, will be timely as the Bulls look to cut a two-game deficit on the dual ladder leaders.
Saturday’s round of matches was highlighted by some individual brilliance from Pakenham’s in-form class-act Chris Smith, a thrilling tie between Clyde and Merinda Park, and Tooradin’s successful first step on a four-game journey that will define its premiership credentials.
But let’s start with the brilliant form of Smith (101 not out) – widely regarded as one of the most gifted players in the game – who added a tenth Premier Division century to his already glittering career against Cranbourne Meadows (8/163) at Lawson Poole Reserve on Saturday.
The master-craftsman looks hungry for runs, and set for one of the best seasons of his career, averaging a staggering 86.33 in the 40-over format of the game.
Smith, by his own lofty standards, had a moderate 2020/21 season averaging 27.82 and scoring 306 runs across 13 matches.
The talented right-handed opener has already chimed in with 259 runs this campaign with Saturday’s century surpassing previous scores of 52 (Cardinia) and 96 (Tooradin) against high-class opposition.
Smith’s innings was super-important for the Lions, who have managed to claim two crucial – although expected – victories to steady wobbling feet after copping some heavy blows in the early part of the season.
The Lions were once again up against it on Saturday, attempting to chase down a target of 164 after the early loss of Jack Anning (1).
But Smith and the super-reliable Rob Elston (36) produced a brilliant 114-run stand that snuffed out any chance of a Rebels victory.
Smith, like Jason Williams last week, has been the highlight act for the Lions, but the determination and experience of Elston is proving invaluable for Pakenham in the absence of their injured skipper Dale Tormey.
Elston has played two critical knocks for his team, and with Tormey set to return after the Christmas break the boys from Toomuc appear well placed to launch a challenge for this year’s title.
If Smith and Williams – who made 22 not out on Saturday – can maintain their form, and Tormey bounces back to his best, the Lions are going to take a world of stopping in the early months of next year.
The Rebels, despite losing, should be relatively content with their efforts, with skipper Sunny Paul (38) and Harkamal Khokhar (39) repelling the best that James Close (3/32) had to offer before the tea break.
The Rebels then stuck to their guns after the break…but ran into a superior being at the absolute top of this game. The Lions (2/165) won with three overs to spare.
Tooradin (9/203) could simply not have asked for more from its pre-Christmas expedition after the Seagulls maintained their unbeaten record with a 21-run victory over Cardinia (182) at Gunton Oval.
All the key ingredients were there for the Gulls, who are banking their chances this season on a sustained input from every single player in their squad.
Aaron Avery (42), Tom Hussey (36), Cal O’Hare (31) and Ben Parrott (23) are not only driving that message…but delivering, with the Gulls’ top-four scorers on the weekend showing the sacrifice required to take their team deep into the season.
The Seagulls had four other players reach double figures – all the way down to nine – as the batting list took on some competitive bowling from Jack Bacon (3/32), Travis Wheller (3/43) and Matt Welsh (2/44)…head on.
Under-rated speedster Kallan Braid-Ball (3/43) then made some early inroads after tea, with key players Wheller (2) and Bradey Welsh (2) back in the sheds after minor contributions.
Alex Nooy (90) played a blinder for the Bulls, crunching four boundaries and two sixes in an innings that kept the reigning premiers in the hunt until the dying stages.
Matt Welsh (30) was the only player to really stick around, sharing a 60-run stand with Nooy, but the bowling of Braid-Ball, Russ Lehman (2/15 off 7) and Josh Lownds (2/33) proved sufficient enough for the Seagulls to get the choccies.
The Bulls will welcome back skipper Jake Prosser after Christmas, a welcome addition in back-to-back games against Clyde, while Tooradin face a familiar foe in Kooweerup in a battle of the top two teams in the competition.
Kooweerup (1/107) meanwhile, showcased the distance between the best and battling teams in the competition with a comprehensive nine-wicket win over Carlisle Park (106) at Denhams Road.
The Demons were on fire from the outset with veteran Matt Davey (3/19 off 8) and speedster Adam McMaster (2/23) having Dave Nutting (0) and Spencer Petrie (0) back in the hut without scoring.
Jess Mathers (3/20) was also at his commanding and intimidating best, bowling four maidens in eight overs of the highest quality.
Star-opener Ravi Kodithuwakku (31) continues to impress for the Vikings with the talented left-hander providing the only real resistance at the top of the order.
Aaron Straughair (23 not out) also showed commitment to get his team into triple figures after his side had slumped to 7/54.
Demons’ skipper – and regular opener – Chris Bright then put his team before individual glory, promoting Cody Miller (45 not out) to open the batting with Luke McMaster (46).
McMaster was the aggressor in an 89-run opening stand before Videsh Dassanayake (9 not out) and Miller guided the Demons home in just the 16th over of their innings.
This was a dominant performance from the Demons…who take on the equally impressive Tooradin at their next start.
The Vikings, searching for their first win of the season, take on a resurgent Pakenham.
And the WGCA Premier Division has had its first tie for the season after Clyde (6/171) and Merinda Park (9/171) couldn’t be split at Ramlegh Reserve.
A cracking contest came down to the last ball of the match, with Clyde skipper Matt Aslett (8) needing one run for victory with scores locked together.
But Aslett hit a low full toss to a short, straight mid-on, with Luke Dinger keeping his composure and flicking off the bails with Aslett well short of his ground.
“It was a great game of cricket, a really good contest, but I haven’t stopped running through that last ball,” Aslett said, roughly 48 hours later.
“We needed 70 off the last 10, and then seven off the last over. We started our innings really well but (Sasindu) Perera came on and really tightened things up…we just couldn’t get him away.”
The game started in familiar fashion, with Cambell Bryan (48) and Daniel McCalman (28) once again getting the Cobras off to a bright start, with Thuduwage Kumara (37) and Perera (22) both chiming in to make the total competitive.
Kane Avard (3/45) and Aslett (2/28) took bowling honours for the Cougars, who began their chase in style.
Jason Hameeteman (81 not out), Owen Marquis (30) and Joel Avard (23) took care of business in the top order but the inclusion of Perera (1/8 off 8), who bowled four maidens, changed the direction of the contest.
Brett Reid (11) – who scores quickly – was then run out via a finger-tipper from the bowler, off a straight drive from Hameeteman, to bring even more tension to the table.
But, in the end, it all came down to that last ball…one Matt Aslett won’t be able to clear from his head in a hurry!
