By David Nagel
Tooradin (7/243) is just one step away from securing the minor premiership and a guaranteed two home finals after the Seagulls produced a batting masterclass against Clyde (94) on Saturday.
The Seagulls just need to defeat Ravi Kodithuwakku and Anurudda ‘Teddy’ Fonseka…sorry Carlisle Park this weekend to earn top spot on the ladder and a home semi-final against Kooweerup.
The winner of that will take a direct passage through to the biggest game of all – the WGCA Premier Division Grand Final.
While nothing is guaranteed in cricket – especially with Ravi and Teddy looming large – the Seagulls thoroughly deserve that number-one ranking this season.
They may be only one game ahead of Kooweerup on the ladder, but they have clearly been the most consistent side throughout the course of the season.
There was no slow start like Pakenham, no mid-season trembles like Cardinia, and no reliance on just one or two heavy hitters at the top of the order like the Demons.
It’s just been well balanced…beautiful cricket from the Seagulls this season.
For the fourth time in five games, the Gulls batted first and posted a winning score of 200-plus.
They did it against Kooweerup, backed it up against Merinda Park, and over the last two weeks put too many on the board for Pakenham and Clyde.
This display was clinical, with its three star batters at the top of the order in terrific form with the timber.
It’s a big statement, almost as tall as the man himself, but Cal O’Hare is in career best form this season.
The Gulls’ skipper blasted 88 runs on the weekend, including seven fours and two sixes, to take his tally to 491 runs.
It’s a super-impressive output from a player who has probably been considered more of a two-day specialist over the years.
Opener Tom Hussey (43) shared a 92-run stand with his leader, taking his total to 288 for the season…not bad for a bloke who has been no-where near his best until showing promising signs over the last fortnight.
A now in-form Hussey is looming large for Kooweerup in week one of the finals – and for whatever opponent he takes on after that.
And then there’s Russell Lehman (77), who backed up his man-of-the-match performance against his former club Pakenham last week with an even better display against the Cougars.
Lehman split a 111-run union with his skipper before batting on and watching a revolving door of unselfish teammates try and boost the run rate.
Lehman – the best seamer in the business – then decimated the Cougars top order with a devastating display of opening bowling.
Lehman (5/21 off 7) had the ball on a string, claimed the first five wickets to fall and bowling three maidens in the process.
Hameeteman (1), Marquis (5), Rogers (10), Reid (11) and Avard (0)…they all fell to Lehman…the score 5/48.
The Cougars were never a chance form there, with Dylan Sutton (2/5) and Brad Butler (2/17) fine-tuning their crafts for some important battles ahead.
The Gulls, as mentioned earlier, take on Carlisle Park this week, while Clyde faces a tough end to its season with a trip to Denhams Road to take on Kooweerup.
