By David Nagel
The familiar sights and sounds of early autumn are in the air.
The big four – Tooradin, Kooweerup, Pakenham and Cardinia – are set for a tantalising battle for this season’s title, while Seagulls’ star Tom Hussey is back doing what he does best…making runs for his beloved green, red and white.
Hussey (116) was the headline act on Saturday, continuing his late-season burst with a brutal century for Tooradin (8/286) against a hapless Carlisle Park (92).
Hussey was in the zone, smacking 20 fours and a towering six as he raced to his century before the drinks break.
He dominated a 102-run opening stand with his skipper Cal O’Hare (34), before continuing the carnage until he was the fourth man out with the score on 172.
Hussey’s burst of brilliance left plenty of time for players like under-18 premiership captain Tyler Evans (22), Dylan Sutton (31), Brad Butler (31) and Kallan Braid-Ball (20 not out) to find some crucial touch ahead of some big games on the horizon.
The Vikings then got a solid start from Ravi Kodithuwakku (32) and Dave Nutting (13), but fell from 0/31 to 4/34 in a hurry.
Kodithuwakku watched from close range as Steve Hamill (4/29) breezed past his ears and did a number on his teammates.
Kodithuwakku’s short but sparkling innings took his season’s tally to a super-impressive 651 runs.
Josh Lownds (2/18) and Braid-Ball (2/39) picked off the lower order and tail.
Pakenham (4/139) all-rounder Troy McDermott (6/26) had the ball on a string on Saturday, claiming a rare hat-trick as the Lions cruised to an easy home victory over Merinda Park (138).
McDermott, who was missing in round 13, was held back at first, but was unleashed in the middle overs, removing the dangerous Manu Goraya (8) and Daniel McCalman (8) to initially make his mark.
He then watched on as Sean Gramc (2/17) removed Cambell Bryan (65), before taking four consecutive wickets…including his hat-trick.
McDermott played a key role in the Cobras losing 6/25 to round out their innings, and their season.
The impressive Tom Brennan (2/18) continued his great season for the Lions, removing Dustin Peebles (9) and Thuduwage Kumara (6) to get the ball rolling, before McDermott hogged the spotlight.
The Lions then turned on the auto-pilot, with Dale Tormey (46) and Jason Williams (46 not out) putting on a 75-run stand after Sasindu Perera (3/10) had made some early inroads.
And Kooweerup (3/143) all-rounder Luke McMaster (89 not out) has sent a timely reminder of his talents with his third half-century for the season leading the Demons to victory over Clyde (140).
McMaster dominated the post-tea session, cracking 13 fours and two sixes in his 66-ball stay at the crease.
The Demons had the Cougars on the back-foot throughout, with the competition’s leading wicket-taker, Matt Bright (4/9), at his suffocating best, bowling four maidens, and just two loose balls, in his eight-over spell.
Steve Dillon (3/29) mopped up the tail, leaving the Demons with an easy run-chase.
Joel Avard (48 not out), Jason Hameeteman (26) and Liam Bennett (25) were best of the bats for the Cougars.
McMaster and his Demon teammates will now turn their attention to a massive trip to Tooradin this weekend, while the Cougars are in reflection mode.
In the final game for the season, Cranbourne Meadows has survived its relegation battle with Carlisle Park after earning six points for a draw after Lawson Poole Reserve was deemed unplayable for its game against Cardinia.
WGCA SEMI-FINALS
Saturday, 12 March, 2022, 1pm
Semi-Final 1
Tooradin (1) v Kooweerup (2) at Tooradin
Semi-Final 2
Pakenham (3) v Cardinia (4)
