By Ian Harley
FERNTREE Gully Blues held off a fast-finishing Belgrave in their FTGDCA fourth-round Knox Tavern Cup clash.
The Blues began the day with a plan to increase their over rate, and threw the new ball to evergreen Graham Salan.
The gambit looked to have paid dividends as Salan completed a spell of 18 overs for 17 runs, with Belgrave going to tea at 3/71 off 46 overs.
Needing 62 off the last 10 overs, Belgrave grabbed back the ascendancy, thanks to a 60-run partnership between Leigh Newey (32) and Simon Hill (45), as the Pies reached 5/180.
Breaking the partnership lifted Ferntree Gully back into the game, as Belgrave lost four quick wickets (including two run-outs) as the pressure to score built.
Needing 13 from the last over, with Doug Oaten and Mick Litterbach at the crease, the Pies took five runs from the first two balls. But, the Blues managed to strangle Belgrave’s scoring opportunities and hold on to win by three runs. It left Ferntree Gully as the only undefeated side.
Lysterfield took the points over Johnson Park at Lakesfield reserve. The Sharks were bowled out for 135 and must be wondering where their early season form went. The Beavers were well served by medium-pacer Tim Chivers (4/37) and joint Lomax medallist Kyle Snyman (3/38).
Lysterfield, with three wins, and will move into the top four.
Upwey’s president, Dain Howe, produced a “Blast from the Past”, smashing the Eildon Park attack to the tune of 141 runs and staking his claim for Country Week selection.
The Tigers made 279 in reply to Eildon Park’s 130, with Brenton Hurst hitting 34. Aaron Powell had a five-wicket haul for the Panthers, but to no avail, as Upwey steamed away with the six points.
Rowville posted an emphatic win over the Basin, its first for the season. The Hawks built their score around Tate Burgmann’s 92, although it was their bowling the previous week that set up the win.
Upper Ferntree Gully easily accounted for St Johns Tecoma, dismissing the Saints for 114 in their first innings. Sitting at 5/107 at tea, the Saints lost 5/7, with Jay Colee (4/46) and Dave Goodger 5/27 (after recovering from a hamstring problem) coming up trumps for the Kings. In its second dig, St Johns Tecoma finished the day on 4/128.
At H. V. Jones reserve, Monbulk, defending 180, bowled the home side out for 135. Mountain Gate, as with St Johns Tecoma, is yet to record a win.
Provisional ladder – Knox Tavern Cup: Ferntree Gully 24; Eildon Park 18; Lysterfield 18; Upwey 18; Upper FTG 18; Johnson Park 12; Belgrave 12; Monbulk 12; The Basin 6; Rowville 6; St. Johns/Tec 0; Mountain Gate 0.
@BT Sport Sub Mail:DECOITE SHIELD
KNOX Gardens firmed as flag favourites, rolling Auravale for 61 in its first innings. Travis Mulder did the damage for the Falcons, with 6/27.
South Belgrave defeated Ferntree Gully outright, dismissing the Blues for 59 and 122 in reply to 4/324. Knoxfield, Johnson Park, and Eildon Park had wins over The Basin, Lysterfield and Upwey, respectively.
In the final game, Knox could only manage 162 in reply to Footballers’ 264.
