By Marcus Uhe
Pakenham Upper Toomuc is hitting the finals series of Casey Cardinia Cricket Association’s District competition in impeccable form, on the back of a monster first day of its final two-day game against Emerald at Chandler Oval.
Matthew Zisos and Mitchell Mibus both hit hundreds for the Yabbies and shared in a 194-run partnership for the third wicket, scoring the bulk of their sides runs in the 7/346 total.
Zisos finished unbeaten on 142, Mibus falling for 131, his second hundred for the 2023/24 season.
For Zisos, the knock came at the ideal time with finals on the horizon, having hit just 71 runs for the season prior to this innings.
The two took the innings from 2/113 to 3/307, as the only contributors of note with the blade for the Yabbies in what was comfortably the highest team score of the campaign – easily bettering the previous benchmark of 216.
A win will make it three wins from the final four matches of the season, including an outright over Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll last round.
The Yabbies’ impressive batting display came in direct contrast to Lang Lang’s efforts, posting just 66 in 36 overs against Upper Beaconsfield.
Only William Wykes (11) and Rajind Dassanayake (30) reached double figures for the Tigers as their season crashes to a new low.
Jayden Joyce and Daniel Brennan took four wickets each for the Maroons, who reached 3/217 at the close of play for a 151-run lead.
Joshua Westra, Corey Joyce and Nicholas Pastras each scored 50s as the visitors motored along at nearly five runs per over.
Likewise, Officer is just 41 runs from victory against Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll after the Marygoons were dismissed cheaply at home.
Four single-figure scores and three ducks saw the hosts bowled out for just 132, thanks in large part to a five-wicket haul to Ash Smith.
Smith removed the dangerous trio of James Markland, Greg Interlandi and Nick McLennan in the top order as the batting card threw-away a promising start.
4/107 became all-out 132, with Darcy Taylor’s 32 the highest score.
Officer begins next week at 1/92, Chathura Imbulagoda and Jack James resuming at 53 and 21, respectively.
