By Tyler Lewis
A righteous tail-wag has propelled Upper Beaconsfield to the highest score of the District summer.
The Maroons were always going to make a big score after consistent starts highlighting the middle order, but it was a dazzling 65-run final wicket stand that guided Upper Beaconsfield to 9/320 against Pakenham Upper Toomuc.
When Daniel Brennan (30 not out) walked out, the Maroons were 8/220, and when Andrew McDonald strolled to the crease, their side was poised strongly at 9/255.
McDonald proceeded to blast an enchanting 47, which included one four and four towering maximums.
When Chad McDonald was trapped in front leg before by Pakenham Upper Toomuc’s Nick Kyval, the Maroons fell to 6/160, but carried on to add a further 160 runs for the loss of just three wickets.
Kyval was the pick of the bowlers for the Yabbies, with 3/98 from a whopping 25 overs.
In the first red-ball match since the 2019/20 season, just one of the Yabbies bowlers bowled less than the previously restricted eight overs.
Devon Meadows, meanwhile, successfully escaped the nothing-to-gain overs that are on offer in the dying stages of a two-day match.
The Panthers – led by Riley Worsteling (5/36 off 16.1) – bowled Cranbourne Meadows out for 198 in the 74th over, meaning they were forced to go out and bat to finish the days play.
Rohit Sharma did his name-sake proud for the Rebels with a sizzling 56 from 54 deliveries.
Fortunately enough for the Panthers, Kyle Salermo and Will Halton made it through the three overs unscathed – leaving their side a further 185 to win when play resumes on Saturday.
The match between Lang Lang and Emerald is perfectly poised, with the Swamp Tigers being just the second side of the District competition to bat out its overs… well nearly!
It was a horror start for the home side after winning the toss and opting to bat, losing opening stick Dale Cranston early.
A patient 63 from other opener Shamil Samarasinghe steadied the Lang Lang ship a little bit, before a flurry of late wickets saw the Swamp Tigers dismissed on the third-last ball of the innings for 216.
Clinton Marsh hit a neat line and length and was rewarded with 3/24 from his nine overs.
NNG/Maryknoll, meanwhile, has already collected first innings points over Gembrook.
The Brookers didn’t have much luck after winning the toss at James Bathe Reserve, limping to 10/121 after 48 overs.
Marygoon’s bowler Nick Mueller continued his fine season by claiming 5/38 from 15 overs.
The Brookers struck early in the second dig, pushing the home side to the ropes at 2/12.
But the innings was swiftly reassembled by Greg Interlandi (50) and Nathan Phillips (58), who took the scores to a level playing field, before the loss of another wicket.
The Marygoons lost a handful of wickets before the close of play, but with the scoreboard reading 5/130 after 29, NNG/Maryknoll is still in a brilliant position to push for an outright.
