Lysterfield crash after tea

By Steve Brown
ROUND two of the FTGDCA’s Knox Tavern Cup ended with some surprising results with the Knoxfield Knights showing that a score of 200 prior to Christmas will win on most occasions.
Lysterfield, set 207 were comfortable at the tea interval with 5/114. However, the break upset their concentration and the Knights cleaned up taking the last five wickets for four runs. Trent Scholfield did the damage with his tweakers taking 4/14 in a good all-round solo effort with bat and ball.
Last season’s premier wicket-taker Mark Butters from Ferntree Gully stole the show against St Johns Tecoma at the main Gully Oval ripping through the Saints’ line-up with 7/38. St Johns fell for 100 chasing the Blues score of 178.
Belgrave are undefeated after their workmanlike victory over reigning premiers Rowville.
With only 131 on the board but having the Hawks 3/2 at stumps on day one, Belgrave led by new coach Chris Dalkin never gave Rowville a chance to recover and dismissed them for 73.
The reliable partnership of Nick Bole-Brown (5/24) and Lynton Toms (4/23) did the damage with the ball.
Upper Gully 9/143 declared, were never in trouble against The Basin (74) with captain Peter Dalton registering the only half century in Cup grade on the day.
Basin bowlers Leigh James (5/61) and Shane Underhill (4/61) unfortunately had no back up in the batting department. The Huntsmen faired better in the second innings with 2/104.
A fighting top score of 38 from Upwey skipper Ryan Pitts saw his team narrowly defeat a gallant Mountain Gate by 11 runs in a low-scoring affair. Slow bowler David Harris nearly pulled it off for the Gators with 6/28.
Eildon Park (216) gave Johnson Park a fright in chasing their target of 254. Cody Morris (46) and Dulip Samaraweera 6/56 from 24 overs were the best performers.
In the Decoite Shield, early Lomax Medal chance Chris Coen’s five wickets helped Monbulk defeat South Belgrave.
Lysterfield 142 were far too strong for Knoxfield 88. Knox Gardens 304 had too many for Johnson Park all out 201.
Glen Salter took 5/37 for Upwey in their victory over newcomers Aura Vale.
The Basin easily accounted for Upper Gully whilst off-spinner Adam Carey’s 6/21 for the Footballers aided their 100-run win over a disappointing Ferntree Gully.