By Marcus Uhe
Just 100 runs stand between Devon Meadows and top spot on the CCCA District ladder as they seek to unseat Upper Beaconsfield’s grip as Kings of the Castle next Saturday.
Upper Beaconsfield won the toss and batted at home in the blockbuster fixture but quickly found themselves in strife, slumping to 5-45, as four of the top six were removed for single figures.
Lucas Ligt had opener Chad McDonald on his way before the Maroons had registered a run, and their leading run scorer this season, Imesh Jayasekara, was run out for seven, forcing a recovery mission from Willie Haines and Lachlan Harrison.
The two put on 89 for the sixth wicket, Haines leading the way with 63, before he became the first of Lucas Carroll’s four victims, as the ladder-leaders crumbled to 153 all out after 57 overs, despite the Panthers not having the competition’s best bowler in Chris Cleef.
Their early dismissal allowed Ligt and wicketkeeper Will Halton to face 20 overs before the close of play, where they established a 54-run foundation.
A blistering performance with the bat has Pakenham Upper Toomuc on-course for an upset of their own against NNG/Maryknoll at home.
Scores of 91, 82 and 84 from James Stevenage, Tharindu Bandara and Nuwan Kariyawasam respectively powered the Yabbies to 6/361 declared from 62 overs.
Two partnerships in-excess of 100 runs and another of 79 made for a long day in the field for the Marygoons, who then found themselves at 2-48 at stumps, with a mountain of work to do next week to cling-on to their spot in the top four.
Snapping at their heels are Cranbourne Meadows, who will feel that fourth spot is theirs for the taking thanks to a strong effort with the ball against Lang Lang.
Cranbourne Meadows won the toss and elected to bowl, and the decision reaped dividends against their highly-fancied opponents , keeping them to 186 from their 80 overs at home, in spite of 67 from Alan Jenkins batting at seven.
Jujhar Singh was the chief destroyer with 4-81 from his 27 overs in a marathon effort for the home side, who will feel a victory is within their capabilities next week.
At Gembrook, Owen Thorne and Sam Stapleton ensured Gembrook’s season of woe continued, combining for 9/38 for Emerald to dismiss the hosts for 58 in 25 overs.
The Bombers called their innings to a close at 5/141, forcing the Brookers to bat again, making it to 2/18 at stumps after 12 overs.
Next week’s results will have significant finals implications, with only four points splitting Lang Lang in third and NNG/Maryknoll in fourth, and then eight points separating Cranbourne Meadows from the Marygoons.
Emerald is lurking in sixth, a game behind Cranbourne Meadows but sporting a superior percentage.
