By DAVID NAGEL
WGCA PREMIER DIVISION
REVIEW – ROUND 5 (Day 1)
CARDINIA (7/161dec) has reminded all teams in the WGCA Premier division that it has weapons to spare, smashing through an insipid Upper Beaconsfield (55 and 2/24) line-up at Gunton Oval on Saturday.
The WGCA hierarchy will be hoping the gap between first and fourth on the ladder is not as it appears, after the Bulls charged through the Maroons without one sign of resistance.
The Bulls are now chasing outright points after Dean Henwood (5/22) and Neil Barfuss (4/28) had the visitors 9/24 at one stage, before number 10 Jayden Joyce (24) became the only batsman to reach double figures.
Luke Turner (59), Daniel Strahan (30) and Travis Wheller (30 not out) proved there were no demons in the pitch with a convincing run chase before sending the Marrons back in. Two of the WGCA’s heavy-hitters, Tooradin (188) and Kooweerup, look set for a cracking day two after the Demons reeled in the Seagulls at Tooradin.
The sublime batting skills of Dylan Sutton (65) and skipper Tom Hussey (55) had the Seagulls cruising at 1/89, before leg-spinner Dananja Madushanka (5/60) and wily all-rounder Chris O’Hara (3/55) applied the brakes.
The Demons have slipped down the ladder in the pair’s absence this season – their inclusion on Saturday clearly giving the perennial finalists a new lease on life.
A glistening half-century from Bradey Welsh (84) has given Pakenham (209) something to bowl at against Merinda Park (1/16) at Donnelly Reserve.
The Lions should have more to defend, however, after Welsh dominated stands with opener Russ Lehman and skipper Jason Williams to have the Lions 2/120 and seemingly in command.
But the Lions brittle and underperforming middle-order was soon exposed, by Jason Pongracic (4/53) and Jess Mathers (2/58), who only met their match when youngsters Zac Chaplin (27) and Matt Welsh (23) appeared and put on 49 for the eighth wicket.
Pongracic, who backed up his 106 against reigning premier Kooweerup last round with another impressive display, will be the key wicket for the Lions when play resumes this Saturday.
A bold and brazen Emerald (8/274dec) has made its intentions clear by declaring with 15 overs to bat against Beaconsfield (1/50) at Haileybury college in Berwick.
The Bombers were just holding their own at their temporary home ground, that was until Julian Scott (98) and Ian Litterbach (59) combined for a match-defining 95-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Veteran all-rounder Clinton Marsh (33 not out) then put the icing on the cake before grabbing the new pill and making the early breakthrough.
Nathan Dooley grabbed four wickets for the Tigers in an outstanding contribution.
DISTRICT top-team Pakenham Upper/Toomuc (125) has its hands full after Lyndhurst Vikings (2/59) took first-day honours at Barry Simon Reserve.
Opener Ben Clough (30) and number eight Nick Kyval (26) threatened for the Yabbies but Jesse Fitzgerald (3/9) and Ammar Bajwa (3/41) always had the Vikings with their noses in front.
The early wicket of Mark Henry (28 not out) is a non-negotiable for the Yabbies if they crave a comeback.
The season of Devon Meadows (149) was on life support after 48 overs against Officer (6/97) before a brutal bowling display tightened things up at Glover Reserve.
Darren O’Brien (36) and Ben Hussey (26) scratched and clawed for the seventh-placed Panthers against the quality of Toyosi Solanke (3/18), before Mick Floyd (2/27) and Lucas Carroll (2/13) put the wind up the Bullants late in the day.
Cranbourne Meadows (9/249) has produced the ultimate team batting performance against Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll at Garfield.
Eight Rebels visited double-figures, with six of those past 20, but only Chris Hauselberger (51) could kick on to raise his bat.
Josh Lownds (3/56) was brave for the Goon, considering the challenge that was laid before him.
Four wickets to Kane Avard (4/35) have provided third-placed Clyde (2/62) with the upper hand in its clash with cellar-dweller SFX Old Collegians (174) at Lineham Oval.
Chris Shepherdson (41) proved the main stumbling block for the Avard and the Cougars, who eventually crashed through in 54 overs.
Shane Webster (39) got the Cougars’ chase off to a flyer before losing his wicket late in the day.
