Panthers pounce on Saints

By Ian Harley
CODY Morris returned to form with the bat in emphatic style, as Eildon Park easily accounted for St Johns Tecoma in FTGDCA round-nine on Saturday.
Set 169 for victory and 1/23 last week the Panthers lost their first wicket just before tea with Morris on 97 and 7 runs required for victory.
After tea Cody added a further 96 to his score, amassing 193 off 232 balls with 19 boundaries (18 fours and one six).
This far eclipses the 103 runs he accumulated up to this game. Shane Cosstick ensured the Saints pain continued as he hit 82 in the afternoon session.
The win sees Eildon Park sitting second, while the Saints will need to try and regroup facing The Basin next week.
Ferntree Gully did not have a century maker in its score of 6/404 against Mountain Gate although most of the Blues batsmen spent time at the crease and few failed to pass 50.
Ferntree Gully sits a game clear on top of the table and seems to have ironed out any batting woes with this hit. At Fairpark, Johnson Park closed out the Basin, dismissing it for 146 then having another hit to be 0/41 before stumps were pulled.
Craig Wenham starred with the ball snaring 4 wickets off 32 unbroken overs.
The Huntsmen lost their way just before tea when a flurry of wickets fell.
Left-hand opener Wayne Koster was the last man to fall for the Huntsmen, scoring a gutsy 60.
The Sharks are sitting fourth with Lysterfield and Monbulk breathing down their neck.
Upwey increased its chances of finals action with Paul Wilson routing his former teammates as the Tigers dismissed Upper Ferntree Gully for 94.
Dave Goodger made more than half the score for the Kings and then took to the Tigers line-up with the ball grabbing 4/6.
Upwey, sitting third, will be very happy with its performance so far this season.
Rowville failed in its chase of Lysterfield’s 328.
The Hawks made 217 with Blackman, Anderson and Murphy all getting starts, while Tim Binks bowled well to claim five wickets for the Beavers.
Monbulk bowled Belgrave out for 220 to claim the points in their game.
In Decoite Shield, Footballers claimed eight points and Ferntree Gully two as they battled out a first- innings tie.
Footballers collapsed from 2/92 overnight to be 8/112 before they fought back and managed to tie the game.
In their second dig the Baby Blues were rolled 51 in 14 overs. The Gryphons were one wicket down when they passed the score.
In the remaining games Knoxfield beat Lysterfield, Knox upset South Belgrave’s applecart, The Basin won over Johnson Park and Auravale had Eildon Park’s measure.