By David Nagel
Devon Meadows (6/235) opener Harry Spierings will head into this week’s D Grade semi-final against Cardinia in the best possible form after smacking a brilliant century against Officer (110) at Starling Road.
Spierings (104) took the game away from the Bullants with a barnstorming innings that included seven boundaries and five crisp hits that sailed over the ropes.
Spierings shared a 120-run stand with his skipper Luke Martin (57) as the Panthers warmed up for their semi-final clash in perfect fashion.
Not to be outdone was Pakenham Red (9/235) number-three Tarrant Millar (104) who led the Lions to an easy F Grade victory over Kooweerup (148).
The under-16 player had a day out, hitting 10 fours and a six as he took on the very best that Ashikul Haque (4/23) and Mick Monckton (3/28) had to offer.
While on run-scoring at Pakenham, Lions’ E Grade opener Scott Webster continued his brilliant season with a masterful 67 against Pakenham Upper Toomuc.
Webster, who is closing in on the magical 500-run barrier this season, fine-tuned his engine for the upcoming finals series, where the Lions will start hot favourites.
And there were lots of smiles on bowlers faces on the weekend with Cardinia’s Craig Boswell (5/25), Carlisle Park’s Ashley Gillam (5/26) and Pakenham’s Connor Norton (5/37) all claiming five-wicket hauls.
And hot on their heels were Upper Beaconsfield’s AJ Claxton (4/14), Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll’s Brett Jackson (4/16), Tooradin’s Connor O’Riordan (4/16), Devon Meadows’ star Trent D’Alton (4/19) and Emerald’s Jake Santini (4/23)…who all finished off the home-and-away season with four wicket spells.
Some of the aforementioned stars will pad up again this week, while several will tuck away the whites until next year.
It’s been another fascinating and exciting season in the minor grades of the West Gippsland Cricket Association (WGCA).
