Record stand for Sharks

By Steve Brown
A NEW club record at Johnson Park for the opening partnership with Mal Francis and Vic Country representative Bryn Gaunt racking up 223 against The Basin at Fairpark Reserve was the highlight of day one of round 9 in the FTGDCA’s Knox Tavern Cup.
Francis (94) broke his own record set with Cameron Claucsen against Bluebirds in 1995 and he was brilliantly supported by Gaunt who notched up 125.
The Sharks finished the day on a commanding 6/347.
St Johns Tecoma hosting potential finalist Mountain Gate, put in a good day’s work with 265 with contributions from Marc Hardy 77 and skipper Trent Pitts 64.
Medium pacer and former Ringwood Premier player Luke Bowyer was superb with 7/56 from 23 overs for the Gators who need to stay in touch with the four.
A good team performance from Joseph, Black, Salan and Spaulding enabled Ferntree Gully to post 267 against Upwey.
Eildon Park’s Shane Cosstick scored his third century of the season this time against Upper Gully. The former Prahran and Ringwood batsman was unbeaten on 115 in his team’s score of 231.
Cosstick’s performance was described by former Victorian bowler and local legend Paul Wilson as “the best innings I have seen in three seasons.”
Half centuries from Matt Dempsey and Chris Hill assisted Lysterfield to a competitive 227 against third-placed Belgrave. The Beavers are desperate to avoid relegation and have thrown out the challenge to the Magpies in a danger game.
Rowville’s Tate Burgmann (77) is in good form as the Hawks batted all day for 258 at Carrington Park against Knoxfield. Burgmann received good support from visiting UK players Pennock and Davies.
It’s game on at South Belgrave in the Decoite Shield with the home side all out for 195 against an improving Lysterfield who are 2/23 at stumps in a must-win game for both sides.
Johnson Park’s Joe Dantini (6/38) was brilliant against The Basin who were dismissed for 151 and the Sharks require another 100 runs for victory with seven wickets in hand.
Monbulk star Jason Fraser took total control against Knoxfield collecting a five-wicket haul and a century all on the same day, a feat rarely seen. The Knights will need to dig in next week to avoid outright defeat.
Aura Vale had Footballers 5/110 with leading Decoite Shield batsman Peter Tahin dismissed without scoring. However, dropped chances enabled the batting team to reach 262 with Steve Hart 77 and Steve Hall 5/55 the best performers.
A new look line-up at Upwey performed steadily against Ferntree Gully with 266, thanks to Brenton Hurst’s 93.
In the final game, Knox Gardens with 296 have too many on the board for Upper Gully.