Kings rule for a day

By Steve Brown
UPPER Ferntree Gully have a new spring in their step, with four rounds to complete in the FTGDCA’s Knox Tavern Cup home and away series, after having last week’s one day loss to Mountain Gate reversed, courtesy of an unregistered player error.
The Kings ventured to the Talaskia Oval where they plundered the St Johns Tecoma attack to the tune of 6/396 with wicketkeeper Dean Roberts blasting 135 and skipper Peter Dalton scoring his maiden century. Both batsmen capitalised on dropped catches – Dalton on 25 and Roberts on 55 – while Jay Colee gave good support with a half century. The Saints are right behind the eight ball next week from ball one.
Ferntree Gully playing host to The Basin, appear to be in the box seat after dismissing the Huntsmen for 143. Adam Luckman posted 41 while opposition captain Graham Salan returned figures of 4/25 in the absence of the injured Mark Butters. The Gully are 1/49 in reply.
Eildon Park are on track for another win, this time at Lysterfield’s expense and could be the smoky for the finals. Mick Sinclair and Todd Burley knocked over the Beavers for 155 and the Panthers were 50 without loss at stumps.
In the annual Mark Paffett Shield, Knoxfield at 4/112 were well placed against Johnson Park just after tea. However, they fell for 147 with young medium pacer David Devenish claiming 4/25. By the close of play, the Sharks had knocked 38 off the target for the loss of one wicket in a keenly contested trophy match, named in honour of a fine cricketer and friend to both clubs.
Belgrave (284) were steady against Mountain Gate at HV Jones Reserve despite losing Scott Vozzo cheaply. Good contributions from Chris Dalkin (49), Dave Ayre (50) and Stuart Newey (44) helped set a target against the Gators who were well served by left arm bowlers Bryan Ferguson and George Shaw both taking five wickets.
In the final game, Rowville produced a good batting performance having made 6/350 against Upwey, however, the result is in doubt as the Hawks played an unregistered player from another association. The FTGDCA match committee will decide the outcome and possible abandonment of the game.
The Victorian Country team has been successful in winning the Australian Country Championships held in Mildura after a dramatic final day.
FTGDCA’s sole representative in the Victorian side, Johnson Park opening batsman Bryn Gaunt, top scored in the final match with 59 against (ICC team) East Asia Pacific to help the Vics to a first innings win.
With bonus points deciding the championship placings, Victoria needed to defeat EAP and relied on Queensland Country to defeat South Australia Country, who were the only team to beat Victoria during the carnival by 20 runs. Queensland went on to defeat South Australia and the Vics won by the equivalent of 3 wickets in the 10-day championships.