By Gavin Staindl
DOVETON is eyeing off an outright victory against Keysborough as it attempts to make up ground in Dandenong and District Cricket Association’s Turf One.
Coming off a “devastating” loss to Parkfield last week, Doveton captain Ryan Hendy was determined to make a statement as the third-placed Doves began their final two-day match before the Christmas break.
Winning the toss at Robinson Reserve but electing to field, the Doves rolled the Burras for 120 before clinching a first innings victory with 10 overs remaining in the day.
But not satisfied there, the Doves snuck in a further two wickets as the bruised Keysborough welcomed the sanctuary of stumps. “We really wanted to attack them,” injured captain Ryan Hendy said. “I was really disappointed and frustrated with the loss against Parkfield so I got stuck into the boys and told them to be aggressive.”
“We weren’t going for an outright straight away, but we are now.”
With Berwick and Buckley no guarantee to get over the line in their matches, the thought of entering the Christmas break as DDCA’s number one team is on the forefront of Hendy’s mind.
@BT Sub Sport News:BERWICK v MORDIALLOC
Berwick import Jim Davies said his side is a “50-50 chance” at winning this Saturday’s match against Mordialloc at Arch Brown Reserve.
Berwick looked destined for a loss after being bowled out for 172 on day-one of the two-dayer, but a late revival by the Bears’ bowlers evened the ledger.
Davies (2/7) paired up with Andrew Perrin (1/30) as the Bloodhounds dropped to 3/46 when stumps was called.
@BT Sub Sport News:NARRE WARREN v DANDENONG WEST
Narre Warren faces a similar predicament as it attempts to defend an unconvincing total ahead of Saturday’s match against Dandenong West at Greaves Reserve.
Narre Warren’s number five batsman Richard Faust was good for 46 runs but was left relatively unsupported as the Magpies succumbed for 124.
But two late wickets to Omar Baker returned a hint of optimism to the Magpie nest as the West’s were reduced to 3/36 at stumps.
@BT Sub Sport News:HEINZ SOUTHERN DISTRICTS v DANDENONG NORTH
HSD will be hoping it can bat out a full day as North Dandenong indicated it’s looking for an outright victory at Reedy Reserve. After making only 48 with the bat, HSD failed to stop North Dandenong which finished at 2/134 when stumps was called.
@BT Sub Sport News:PARKFIELD v HALLAM-KALORA PARK
In-form Parkfield slogger Steven Spoljaric has negated any early advantage the Hallam-Kalora Park bowlers may have enjoyed during their two-dayer at Parkfield Reserve.
For the first hour, opening bowlers Cory Booth (4/67) and Johan Vorster (3/44) did what they pleased as Parkfield slumped to 4/23.
But as he has done many times this season, Spoljaric wrestled back the ascendency as he went on to register 136. Along with Tony Payne’s 59 not out, the duo put on a 137-run partnership as the Bears were eventually bowled out for 227.
TURF TWO
@BT Sub Sport News:FOUNTAIN GATE v COOMOORA
AFTER a bunch of “starts” this season, Fountain Gate’s Stephen White finally registered a big’n as the Gators scored an imposing 6/234 against Coomoora.
White made 101 and was ably supported by Gary Burniston (76) as the Gators snapped up their second-highest score of the season.
@BT Sub Sport News:NARRE SOUTH v SILVERTON
Narre South is optimistic that its first innings total of 162 will be enough to hold off the winless Silverton at Strathaird Reserve.
South opener Brendan Wilson was good for 38 runs while Brett Armitage chipped in with 26 as the Lions produced a competitive total given the intermittent weather conditions.
Narre North and Cranbourne both had matches washed out.
