By David Nagel
A POWER LADEN one-two punch from Tooradin’s Callum O’Hare (108 not out) and Bradley Sauer (115) and a magnificent century from Merinda Park’s Glen Ward (103 not out) highlighted round eight action in the West Gippsland Cricket Association on Saturday.
In Premier Division, a third run-out for the season for Tooradin (5/278cc) gun Tom Hussey (4) left his fifth-placed team on shaky ground against the visiting third-placed Upper Beaconsfield.
O’Hare batted at three and greeted Sauer with the Seagulls in a precarious position at 4/70. Hussey, Kane Latham (9), Aaron Avery (6) and Brenton Adams (8) were four quality performers all back in the sheds when the two joined forces with the Seagulls’ season on the line.
Captain Avery had said early in the week that a loss could prove the killer blow in the Seagulls’ finals aspirations, but a 191-run fifth wicket partnership left his team in a perfect position to fight another day. O’Hare is in the top echelon of all-rounders in the WGCA and his ton confirmed that status while Sauer showed his early season half-century against Pakenham wasn’t a blip on the radar.
Maroons’ skipper Scott Pitcher (2/99) was back to his resilient best bowling 28 overs while Chris Pentland (1/29) and Paul Matthews (1/27) were the only other wicket takers. After a century against the Seagulls in round seven, Shawn Flegler looms as a big danger this Saturday but the home side looks well placed to join the Maroons on 54 points heading into the Christmas break.
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After an embarrassing loss to Devon Meadows on the turf last round, Merinda Park (242) bounced back with a vengeance against the same opposition at home on Saturday.
Ward led the way for the home team, arriving at the crease with his team on 3/52 and he remained undefeated when the Cobras’ final wicket fell in the last over of the day.
Mathew Grayson (25) and Jess Mathers (20) solidified the Cobras’ top order but when captain Jamie Smith fell with the score on 6/133 the afternoon could have turned pear-shaped for the home side.
Uma Rattan (30) joined Ward at the crease and the two put on a crucial 75-run stand to guide the Cobras’ to a competitive score. The Devon Meadows bowlers were made to work hard for the first time this season.
In the absence of Peter Zauner it was Bill Loudon (4/67) who put his hand up when the going got tough with Matt Clayton (3/46) providing valuable support. Last week’s seven-wicket hero Mick Floyd went wicketless.
LYNDHURST Vikings paid a visit to Emerald (7/242dec) on Saturday and it’s fair to say they have their hands full when play resumes this week.
The Vikings were on top when the home side fell to 7/152 but a late-order unbroken partnership of 90 put the Bombers in the driver’s seat. A late declaration by the home side paid dividends when it struck dual blows to have the Vikings 2/3 in reply.
Trevor McGeachin (4/56) was the only multiple wicket taker for the Vikings, who have some serious re-building to do with the bat this weekend.
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Third-placed Tooradin (115) travelled to fourth-placed Upper Beaconsfield (1/43) on Saturday and after a promising start collapsed in a big way.
Mathew Walker (24) and Jarred Thompson (21) had the Seagulls well placed at 2/62 but the visitors then crumbled, losing 8/53 to be rolled for 115. It could have been worse if it wasn’t for Richard Holland (22) who watched wickets tumble around him.
Holland (1/10) was then the only bowler to strike as a cautious Maroons’ batting line-up set things up for next week.
CRANBOURNE Meadows (170) played host to top team Clyde (2/17) on Saturday in a battle between the division’s leading batsman and the best attack.
Brent Murdoch (56) seemed to enjoy the challenge and his half-century kept the hungry Cougars at bay as his team posted a defensible score. Brett Richards (23), Shannon Marum (19), Trevor Poole (18) and Roger Cotterell (17) all threatened to break free but couldn’t capitalise on promising starts.
Clyde’s impressive bowling depth was once again on show, Adrian Buller (5/61) and Dean Williams (4/52) feasted on the Rebels’ batting line-up with Kane Avard (1/27) picking up the scraps.
Clyde’s reply has been in progress for 27 overs and it crawled along to 2/17 with Jason Poole (1/4) and Mathew Smith (1/4) claiming a wicket apiece to keep the Rebels in the game.
