By David Nagel
A superb century from Cardinia E Grade opener Craig Hart was the individual highlight of round one in the lower grades of Casey Cardinia cricket on Saturday.
Ironically, Hart’s century, which included 17 boundaries at Lakeside Recreation Reserve, was made in the only E Grade game that did not garner a result.
The Bulls made 5/226 against Pakenham Upper/Toomuc before the heavens opened and the game was called off.
Ash Jones (35), Brad Remy (22) and Ray Perkins (21) were other Bulls to fire, while Shayaan Anwar (2/10) and Dhylan Horsburgh (2/48) stuck to their guns for the Yabbies.
Carlisle Park, Devon Meadows and Pakenham all had wins in E Grade, with the Lions (1/115) the most impressive in their win over Merinda Park (4/111).
Mat Harper (40), Gerard Healy (27) and Muhammad Salmon (26) helped the Cobras to a competitive score before the Lions came out firing.
Rob Blackwell (43*) and Brett Oldfield (24*) finished off the job in just 14 overs for the Lions, after opener Lee Harris (37) had set a strong foundation.
In other completed games, a stylish half-century to Andrew Myers (50), and support acts from Greg Benoit (29) and Abhijit Mohan (17), led Carlisle Park (4/132) to a solid run-chase victory over Melbourne Sixers (4/127), while Devon Meadows (9/136) defended its total well against Officer Green (6/116).
Jason Brzezowski (27), Peter Zauner (24) and Peter O’Brien (21) guided the Panthers to a competitive total, despite some terrific bowling from Bullants David Rea (3/23) and David Green (3/30).
Fighting knocks from Tim Baulch (36), Rea (27), Harry Austin-Groome (22) and Gary Plunkett (15*) had the Bullants on the precipice of victory, but some tidy bowling from Scott Northey (2/9 off 7) guided the Panthers to day-one glory.
In A Grade, Tooradin (4/140) has laid down a marker after an impressive run-chase against Merinda Park (9/131).
The Seagulls sent the Cobras in and had their hands full, with Brad Hodge (32), Wajahat Ali (16), Pawan Thind (16), Harwinder Bhullar (15*), Brendan Fairlam (13) and Kirti Sharma (10) all chipping in with double-figure scores.
But the Seagulls had nothing to fear, with opener Luke Adams (68) striking six boundaries and two sixes in a match-winning half-century, before the endless experience of Aaron Avery (36*) guided the Gulls to victory.
And Cardinia (7/150) has also made a winning start to A Grade, narrowly defending its total against Devon Meadows (143).
After being sent in, the Bulls made a good fist of things with Jordan Healey (51), Brandon Mackie (31) and late runs from Brady Boswell (16*) providing the basis for a competitive total.
But it was tough going at times, with Fintan Raistrick (4/25) putting in a strong shift for the Panthers.
The Panthers suffered an early setback in reply, losing Billy Loudon for a third-ball duck, before Nathan Kleinig (65), Zac Bates (21), Steve Robinson (15) and Arthur Churchill (14) set about their business with purpose.
But the Panthers fell eight runs short of their target, with four wickets to Ryan Little (4/27) – including the key wicket of Kleinig – proving the difference in a very tight finish.
Apart from A and E Grade, the only other result took place in D Grade, with Kooweerup (3/171) defending well against Merinda Park (1/139).
The Demons started their season well, with Nasib Sunny (65), Shariful Rony (37), Harpreet Ghandi (28*) and Ashikul Haque (19*) setting up a competitive total.
Merinda Park showed true grit in reply, but fighting innings from Michael Blaby (61*), Chris Smith (50) and skipper Leigh Smith (10*) would in the end go unrewarded; the Demons winning by a comfortable 32 runs.
LOWER GRADE STARS – TOP 5
BATTING
Craig Hart Cardinia E 110
Duke Miller Carlisle Park C 86
Luke Adams Tooradin A 68
Andrew McInnes Kooweerup C 66
Nathan Kleinig Devon Meadows A 65
BOWLING
Fintan Raistrick Devon Meadows A 4/25
Ryan Little Cardinia A 4/27
Gunjan Patel PUT D 4/27
Mathew Bright Kooweerup A 4/36
Mark Fairbrother Devon Meadows C 3/14
