Ball dominates bat in semis

By Iain Harley
DAY ONE of the semi-final action in the FTGDCA’s Knox Tavern Cup saw two contrasting games.
In the first semi-final, Ferntree Gully grabbed the initiative in the first session reducing St Johns Tecoma to 6/11.
The Saints’ fight back was led by Danny Pearce (47), and they were finally dismissed for 118 just on tea.
Mark Butters did the damage taking 7/30.
The Blues commenced their run chase but were soon in a similar boat sitting at 6/40.
In an epic tussle, Graham Salan (45 n.o) stood firm while the wickets fell around him, until the penultimate wicket fell with the Blues still requiring 10 runs.
With several appeals turned down, a runout resulted when the batsmen met mid pitch with the Blues on 119, leading by 1 run.
Marc Hardy took 7 wickets for the Saints, with his season tally on 49.
It was a day’s play that saw the ball master the bat, with 20 wickets falling for 237 runs.
Day two will see St Johns Tecoma bat again and hope to reverse the first innings result.
At Fairpark, Belgrave batted all day to set Johnson Park a chase of 307 to make the grand final.
The Magpies’ best were Lynton Toms (73), Scott Vozzo (57), and Nick Bole-Brown (53), while for the Sharks Steve Bowen returned figures of 4/39 on a day where their bowlers failed to bowl consistently in the right areas.
Johnson Park will start day two looking for a strong performance from Bryn Gaunt and Dulip Samaraweera.
In the Decoite Shield, Monbulk posted a score of 268 at home against Knox Gardens.
Country week captain Jason Fraser scored 131 for the Hawks, once again showing his calibre to perform when it counts.
Adam Wild took 5/87 for the Falcons.
Ferntree Gully Footballers have their fate in their own hands after dismissing Upwey for 162.
Shane Richardson (70) was the only batsman to master the bowling for the Tigers, with Adam Carey the best bowler for the Griffins.
Footballers return to the crease on day two needing a further 128 runs with 9 wickets intact.