By Tyler Lewis
‘Build the man a statue’.
Mark Howard was required at Toomuc Reserve on Saturday, as Officer’s Daniel Irvine channelled his inner Scott Boland.
In a weekend that flirted the opportunity of seeing four finals contenders take on, Irvine stole the show in the Bullants match against Pakenham.
The Bullants were bowled out in the final over of the first innings, posting 137; Irvine slapped 21 from 27 balls to get the visiting side to a decent position.
But to defend 137, you need something special.
And Irvine certainly delivered.
The Lions were 2/47 – coasting to victory – before a collapse resembled only something England could achieve.
6.2 overs, four maidens: 6/7.
Irvine’s spell was so unplayable, only one of the last seven batters could score a run.
To make the performance even more special, Irvine has struggled to take wickets in clumps so far this summer, his last multiple wicket performance was back in November.
While 6/7 would be a milestone most cricketers would hang on to as their best career figures, Irvine has a lazy 8/16 in the back pocket that still steals the show.
First placed Kooweerup played host to the now fourth-placed Tooradin outfit, and the currently second placed Cardinia welcomed third seed Clyde.
The Demons and the Cougars won the semi-final dress rehearsals and will no doubt take that edge into the finals in seven week’s time.
Kooweerup courageously sent Tooradin in and the Gulls were right up to the task, setting an excellent score of 7/185.
If this was in fact a final, the cliché walking off the ground would’ve certainly been spun: ‘185? That’s 210 in a final’.
Ben Mantel was the pick of the batters for the Gulls, striking 72, while John Bright once again impressed with 3/41.
While 185 is most definitely a score of in excess of 200 in a final, the Gulls may very well need a score such as that if they are to take on the Demons in a semi-final, as the home side proved 185 isn’t enough to contain its top order.
The Demons reeled in the total with gas in the tank, passing the required 185 with five wickets in the shed and 21 balls to spare.
In a further positive for this Demons unit, they had several players get in, get a start, but not capitalise to go on with a massive score.
Steve Johnson top scored for the premiership favourites with 50.
Despite being the lower-seeded side, Clyde delivered an astounding all-round performance against Cardinia.
From the moment Cougars skipper Trevor Bauer strolled out to the toss, the wins started to tumble for his side.
Bauer demonstrated the perfect day as skipper: won the toss, posted a mammoth score – to which he contributed – bowled his opposition out cheaply.
The visiting side posted 9/241, with Bauer scoring 50 and Roshan Bandara belting 91.
Banadara’s sensational knock didn’t include much running, considering he struck five fours and seven maximums; 62 of his 91 coming in boundaries.
While there was an onslaught from Bandara, Cardinia’s Josh Browne bowled tremendously, snaring 5/26 from eight overs.
Worryingly for Cardinia, if Browne’s figures are extracted from the total, Clyde’s score is 4/215 from 32.
In reply, the Cougars were all over the Bulls with five of the six bowlers claiming a wicket and just three batters reaching double figures.
After 71 overs, Clyde came away with a mammoth 106 run victory.
