By Jonty Ralphsmith and Marcus Uhe
Cardinia has won the battle for second place with Officer in A grade, as fourth spot still remains up for grabs.
After a nine-wicket haul last week for Devon Meadows, Nathan Kleinig was this week able to celebrate a win in B Grade, while Cardinia had a nail-biting win in D Grade.
Here are the highlights of the CCCA Lower Grades this week.
A GRADE
Tooradin has sent a reminder to the rest of A Grade, with a belting victory over Pakenham.
The Seagulls flew past the Lions’ total of 169 five wickets down, and took advantage of the extra time in the middle to boost their percentage, declaring at 8-326.
Luke Adams was one of the primary beneficiaries, hitting 106 from 118 in what became centre-wicket practice at Tooradin Rec Reserve.
Cardinia has put some ground between them and Officer in third, after eclipsing their total of 130 with four wickets remaining.
Travis Welsh top scored with 45 as the home side made 222 in reply.
Kooweerup completed their outright victory over Carlisle Park, chasing 65 for the loss of just one wicket after bowling the Vikings out for 137 at their second time of asking.
Clyde, too, were comprehensive against Merinda Park, dismissing them in the 55th over for 153 to complete a 141-run win.
Clyde’s win ties them for third on points with Officer, while everyone is still chasing Tooradin, 20 points clear of Cardinia in second.
B GRADE
After his nine-wicket haul last week restricted Cranbourne Meadows to 76, Devon Meadows’ Nathan Kleinig was unbeaten on 13 as his team recorded a two-wicket victory.
Already six down coming into the day with Kleinig at the crease, he cut a composed figure between some less-experienced cricketers lower in the order.
The tight victory ensured he could celebrate his remarkable feat with ball last week with a win.
A six-wicket haul to Taj Pentland kept Pakenham Upper Toomuc at bay chasing Upper Beaconsfield’s 197.
Pentland picked up six of the last eight wickets including set batters James Stevanage (55) and Paul Howat (32) ensuring neither could play a match-winning knock.
In the other game, Tooradin shared around the wickets as Emerald was bowled out for 49.
It was a remarkable feat for the Seagulls who themselves made just 76 yet emerged 27-run victors.
Wayne Mannix’s four wickets led the way and Tim Huguenin’s 3/12 off 12.5 was also clinical.
C GRADE
Six wickets to Officer’s Lachlan James was critical in the Bullants’ 30-run win over NNG/Maryknoll.
His career-best figures of 6-32 included five of the first six wickets, before returning to take the final as the Marygoons collapsed.
From 6/147 requiring another 36 to win, they lost their last four wickets for five runs to be rolled for 152.
Devon Meadows snuck home by one wicket against Lang Lang, who will feel they shot themselves in the foot with some poor bowling.
The Tigers conceded 41 extras while attempting to defend 156, after having the Panthers in strife at 5/64.
Michael Hawkins top-scored for the Panthers with 46 off 151, while Jackson Pawsey took 4-29.
Elsewhere Pakenham completed an outright victory over Cardinia to climb to the top of the table, two points ahead of Officer, while Devon Meadows remain half a game back of Cardinia.
D GRADE
Ten important lower-order runs to Ryan Dennis and one to Ben Warren has led Cardinia to a tense one-wicket victory over Kooweerup.
Dennis hit the 115th and winning run in the 39th over after Cooper Davey claimed the wicket of middle-order batter Lucas Eades the previous over to get the Demons back in the hunt.
Eades absorbed 58 deliveries and made 19 runs, establishing partnerships and showing faith in his batting partners which ultimately proved decisive, but his dismissal just short of the target would’ve sent shivers through the sheds.
That dismissal was one of Davey’s three wickets, a feat matched by teammate Gerrad Gilmore.
At Ramlegh Recreation Reserve, a century to opener Steven Russell led Clyde to an easy win over Officer, with the visitors’ 8/155 proving manifestly insufficient.
Clyde continued batting beyond its target to allow Russell a chance of a century, which he brought up off 159 balls, Stuart Williams unbeaten on 39 at the other end.
Pakenham, meanwhile, didn’t even last 29 overs against Emerald, bowled out for 84 chasing 157 for victory, with lower order player David Auld’s unbeaten 28 the only innings of note.
E GRADE
Tooradin won a tight encounter against Pakenham Upper Toomuc, after skipper Robert Simpson’s 60 set up the innings.
Needing 166 to win, the first partnership was worth 56 and put the visitors on track, and they looked like they would do it easily.
Despite Pakenham Upper Toomuc breaking through at regular intervals, Simpson remained an anchor at the crease with his innings ultimately getting his team close enough.
But when he was the sixth wicket dismissed with Tooradin still trailing by 23, the hosts were right back in it as pressure befell the middle-order.
Chase Harris (22) and Darryl Jago (36) were able to overcome the nerves though to lead the team to victory despite the loss of two more wickets before the target was reached.
Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll fell 41 runs short against Lang Lang and Officer fell eight runs short against Pakenham.
Chasing just 151, Officer batted for 81 overs yet could only put 8/142 on the board as Ray Perkins, John Hutchinson and Darcy Jones all bowled more than 17 overs at a miserly economy rate, 24 maidens in total bowled in the innings.
F GRADE
Pakenham’s second effort with the bat lasted a mere four overs, as the last three wickets fell for a single run against Kooweerup.
Ashikul Haque made 100 in what was batting practice for the Demons.
At Selandra Rec Reserve, Devon Meadows had a strong second day with the bat to hold-off Upper Beaconsfield.
Taking a minor 13-run advantage into day two, the Panthers pulled-away to a 54-run win to maintain their lead at the top.
Merinda Park had the bye.
Upper Beaconsfield and Pakenham remain tied on 60 points in fourth and fifth respectively, chasing Merinda Park, Kooweerup and Devon Meadows.
