Dulip makes Panthers pay

By Iain Harley
FORMER Sri Lankan Test cricketer Dulip Samarweera made the most of a second ball life when dropped by Eildon Park’s usually reliable Cody Morris at first slip in round two of the Knox Tavern Cup.
He then plundered the attack to all parts of Fairpark oval making a magnificent 107 in Johnson Park’s total of 254. Sharks opener Bryn Gaunt gave good support with 53. On a slow Fairpark outfield this score appears to be too many for the newly-promoted Panthers.
After winning their first match, Mountain Gate were disappointing against Upwey at HV Jones Reserve, as Young Tigers medium pacer Travis Richardson cleaned up with 6 for 6 from 14 overs.
Richardson has only just returned to Upwey after several seasons with Footballers. Upwey chose not to bat on day one enforcing the new change of innings rule and should successfully pursue their target next week.
Knoxfield skipper Trentin Scholfield led from the front with a fighting 71 helping the Knights to 207 against the Lysterfield Beavers.
Former Bayswater leg spinner Chris Hill has started the season well taking 5/30 to add to his 95 in round 1. Lysterfield will be keen to chase down this score to record their first win for the season.
Upper Gully’s Alistair Lord mowed through The Basin’s batting line-up taking 5/21 at Kings Park. Jay Colee provided able assistance to Lord taking 3/21.
At stumps, the Kings were 1/57 chasing the Huntsmen’s meagre total of 74 runs.
After dismissing Belgrave for 131 Rowville will recommence next week at 3/2 on Seebeck Reserve. Craig Arnell toiled hard for the Hawks bagging 4/19.
Evergreen Nick Bole-Brown top-scored for the Magpies with 32 not out and will be hoping to crash through the Hawks line-up next week.
Dual Lomax medallist Marc Hardy took 5/51 off 24 overs as St Johns Tecoma took on Ferntree Gully at the Gully Recreation Reserve. Seventeen year-old debutant Beau O’Brien enjoyed his first wicket, being that of Feaver medallist Matt Black.
The Saints will not have it all their own way next week against a tenacious Gully attack.
In the DeCoite Shield, crowd favourite Jason Fraser returned to the crease making 84 out of Monbulk’s 247 against South Belgrave.
Fifteen year-old Knox Gardens opening bat McInerney batted through the day for a great 115 against Johnson Park.
Al Zaresky from Upwey made 121 in their huge score of 7/357 against Auravale.
In the remaining games, Knoxfield are 4/42 chasing Lysterfield’s 142, Footballers have set Ferntree Gully 166 for victory, and The Basin made 266 against Upper Gully.