Double trouble for Basin

By Steve Brown
UPPER Ferntree Gully twins Dean and Justin Roberts caused some problems for finals aspirants The Basin, when they opened the innings together for the very first time in round 9 of the Knox Tavern Cup.
With poor weather last week, all senior matches were played as one-dayers with 45 overs per side.
The twins had both been struggling for form with Dean, the hero of last season’s Country Week final, coming back from injury however the Kings were away to a flyer with an opening stand of 120.
Justin top scored with 65 while Dean recorded 59 and with Jay Colee contributing 49 towards the end, a total of 216 from only 42 overs bowled pleased skipper Paul Wilson.
The huntsmen were in early trouble and when Wilson uprooted the middle and off stumps of The Basin’s gun Adam Luckman to have them reeling at 5/44, it broke the spirit of the team and their promising start to the season looks over.
Wilson 3/6 and leg spinner Alister Lord 5/14 routed the batting line-up who were all out for 54. Undefeated leaders Rowville and Ferntree Gully both suffered their first defeats of the season.
At the Seebeck Oval, Belgrave surprised onlookers by reversing last year’s grand final result defeating Rowville by 31 runs with Scott Vozzo man of the match with 31 and 3/6. Ferntree Gully were predicting a challenging match up against St Johns Tecoma and the Saints dished out a one day lesson passing the target of 175 with 9 overs remaining and 5 wickets in hand.
Match winner Marcus MacDonald smashed 97 before being bowled while for the Blues, Matthew Black was in tremendous form with another 65.
A loss to Rowville and the Gully will not harm their chances at this time of year and will serve as a wake up call.
Sleeping giants Upwey Tecoma are back in the four after accounting for Mt Gate with three overs to spare. The Sri Lankan duo of Samaraseekera and Chaminda again held the Gators together with little back up. Shane Cross took 3/36 and Paul Henry (50) and Dain Howe (46) set up the win for the Tigers.
Johnson Park’s 17 year old fast bowler Steve Bowen celebrated his recent selection in the Victorian Country Under 21 team with brilliant figures of 6/17 against Knox Gardens.
Bryn Gaunt followed up his 85 last match with 84 for the winners however the Sharks may have left their run home for March action too late.
Lysterfield have done it again and have that winning feeling under the leadership of Matt Dempsey.
The Beavers defeated Knoxfield with 3 balls to spare and the Knights just can’t seem to win the close ones. Chris Hill and Bryce Notman top scored for their respective teams.
Highlights in Decoite Shield were Ben Morris’ 120 for Eildon Park against Johnson Park and Monbulk’s Jason Fraser falling 5 runs short of what would have been his 16th century at the club.
At Pickett Reserve, Footballers won another tight one with 3 balls remaining against Lysterfield and South Belgrave was too strong for last year’s finalist Upwey.