Belgrave suffer setback

BELGRAVE Cricket Club’s U17 team suffered a setback when they lost to South Belgrave in the latest round of FTGDCA matches.
Now their round 9 contest with the Johnson Park/St Johns combine will be a contest for a spot in the four. The best prospect for the U17s at the moment is ‘keeper/batsman Mat Finch who made 50 and 42 in this losing round without losing his wicket.
In U11 action, As and Bs each had a win with the former making 147 to Upwey’s 101. Luke Sproules made 31 while Joel Turpin took 5/1 including 4 wickets in one over.
The B side made 139 to Knox Gardens’ 75. Austin Hauler made 17, Liam Hunt made 17 while Hauler also took 1/10 with the ball.
In seniors action, the Fifths and Sixths dented their chances of finals action again with losses to Mountain Gate and top side Wandin East respectively.
The first XI also did their finals hopes no good as they capitulated totally to bottom side Lysterfield. Chasing a modest 225, Belgrave were bowled out twice, having followed on in the second innings.
The second XI wrestled back the top spot after Knox were beaten by Rowville. The seconds were led to 3/281 last week by the club record 234 run 2nd wicket stand involving Greg Brown (106 not out) and Doug Oaten (133). In reply Mountain Gate could only manage 220, with John Wade the best of the bowlers with 4/59.
The Thirds offered top spot to second placed Auravale by losing at Mountain Gate. They posted 9/201 on a ground they believed would not give runs up easily, but the Mountain Gate disproved the theory by making 353 for the loss of 9 wickets.
Only part time trundler Phil Beaton gave the batsmen any trouble taking 4/64, Phil’s first “4 for” since 1999/2000 season. Fortunately for the thirds Auravale were also beaten, so they retain top spot with two rounds to play.
The Fourths consolidated their second position with a good win over Eildon Park, but not after a fight. Belgrave made 240 on day one thanks mainly to the efforts of Mark Bourke’s 57.
Eildon Park were finally bowled out for 197 with Jason Weare taking 3/22 and Jim McNamara taking 3/19.