By David Nagel
An extreme ‘top-four danger rating’ has been issued to the Pakenham Cricket Club with the Lions’ finals prospects now in jeopardy heading into round 14 of the CCCA Premier Division.
The Lions, who made 6/397 on day one of their clash against Devon Meadows last week, appeared safe from danger, but were left frustrated on Saturday; banking six points instead of a certain 12 after the CCCA implemented the following By-Law:
BL 24.2 FIRE DANGER RATING
If the Fire Danger Rating as declared by the CFA for the Central District is Extreme or higher all CCCA Cricket shall be cancelled, note this Rating is different to Total Fire Ban Day Ratings.
Meanwhile, not far away at Clyde, the Cougars dodged a bullet; not having to make an attempt on Tooradin’s imposing day-one (9/349) total.
What appeared certain to be an 18-point gap between the fourth-placed Lions and fifth-placed Cougars has stayed at six points; meaning fourth place is well and truly up for grabs over the next fortnight.
If Pakenham wins against Tooradin, it is safe, but a loss to the Seagulls, and victory to Clyde over Cardinia, would see the Cougars leap-frog the Lions into the top four.
PAKENHAM V TOORADIN
As usual, Pakenham and Tooradin will play in front of one of the biggest crowds of the season when the Lions and Seagulls try to knock the pink stumps over on the front ground at Pakenham.
The only problem is, most of the 240 females that rock up to Pink Ladies Day on Saturday couldn’t care less about the cricket; they’re more interested in a laugh and a good time and smashing down as many of Phil Anning’s famous ‘pink lemonade and vodka’ drinks as they can!
If the ladies did happen to look over the balcony for a minute or two…they would actually see some very good cricket.
These two made a combined 746 runs in round 13, with class acts Chris Smith (229 not out) and Tom Hussey (116) contributing 47-percent of those.
But don’t be fooled; Jason Williams (56) and Dom Paynter (47) were also in fine touch for the Lions while Tyler Evans (75) and Josh Lownds (52) raised their bats for fifties for the Gulls.
Tooradin won a cracking edition of the corresponding clash last year by four runs (7/257 to 9/253) after the Lions were cruising at 1/173 on day two.
It was a great kick-start to a premiership-winning run and both teams will be keen to take winning form into this year’s finals series.
The Lions have two chances to qualify for finals in round-14; but winning over the Seagulls would eliminate cause for concern.
But the ‘top four danger rating’ will remain extreme, with Tooradin to lock down a top-two position with another very tight victory.
CARDINIA V CLYDE
Cardinia will look to keep its four-game undefeated streak alive when the top-of-the-table Bulls host a desperate Clyde at Gunton Oval on Saturday.
Losses either side of Christmas, to Tooradin and Kooweerup, put some question marks over the Bulls’ ability to compete with the best sides in the comp, but their response has been very impressive.
The Bulls thumped Pakenham and Tooradin before claiming outright victory over Devon Meadows, before weather intervened on both days against bottom-side Merinda Park.
Missing two weeks of cricket is not the ideal preparation for two-day finals so the Bulls will be dead-keen to strip things back and play a solid 160-over game.
Alex Nooy has been the Bulls number-one marksman this season, while Matt Welsh, Yohan Arumadura and skipper Mark Cooper are also looming as threats.
The Bulls appear to have locked away a top-two position, 20 points clear of third, but could fall from that lofty rating if three things go against them.
If they lose handsomely; and Tooradin defeats Pakenham and Kooweerup thumps Devon Meadows outright; the Bulls could free-fall to third position.
It’s highly unlikely, but just enough of a carrot to keep the home-ground Bulls on their game.
As for Clyde; well, it has a free swing at this one.
The Cougars finals prospects looked dead and buried last week before an Extreme Fire Danger Rating came to their rescue.
But whatever happens this week, Trevor Bauer and his Cougars can well-and-truly hold their heads high.
They have transformed a ‘four-team stranglehold’ into a ‘fab-five’ this season, and will hopefully improve further and make even more of a mark next season.
The Cougars have been brave, and they’re still in the hunt; but it’s the Bulls to keep their undefeated streak alive.
KOOWEERUP V DEVON MEADOWS
A lot will have to go right for Kooweerup to secure second place and a home semi-final in round-14 of the CCCA Premier Division.
The third-placed Demons have to roll Devon Meadows (sixth) outright at Denhams Road and hope Pakenham (fourth) do the right thing and roll reigning-premier Tooradin (second) in the ‘Pink Ladies Day’ clash at Toomuc Reserve.
It’s a big if…but if anyone can do it it’s the Demons.
The strike-force of Luke McMaster, Jess Mathers and Adam McMaster is set to have a huge bearing on ‘March Madness’ this year…and a ferocious finish to the season against a ‘nothing-to-play-for’ Devon Meadows could be the beginning of a serious confidence-boost that propels the Demons to glory.
They’ve had their ups and downs have the Demons but only care about playing their best cricket at this time of the season.
Kooweerup has the ability, with both bat and ball, to have a red-hot crack at the Panthers in the early stages of this contest.
As well as the aforementioned bowling attack, the Demons have batters like Chris Bright, Luke McMaster, Shiran Rathnayake, Mitch Davey and Mathers that all score rapidly when the moment requires it.
Expect a heavy slips cordon to be set if the Demons bowl first; and a run-a-ball strike rate if they bat…it’s going to be a ‘handle bars down’ approach from the outset.
What transpires at Pakenham will have a heavy bearing on what takes place at Denhams Road on day-two…but it’s the Demons to win handsomely.
MERINDA PARK V UPPER BEACONSFIELD
And Merinda Park will play its last game of Premier Division cricket for at least the next 18 months when the Cobras welcome Upper Beaconsfield on Saturday.
If all goes according to plan, October 2026 will be the next time we lay eyes on the Cobras in the top-flight after being a Premier Division regular since 2012.
It’s been a frustrating season for the Cobras, who have tested some of the best teams in the competition but just haven’t been able to land a blow.
The Cobras percentage (0.64) – a great indication of sustained competitiveness – is better than Devon Meadows (0.58) and Upper Beaconsfield (0.41); but that’s cold comfort when relegation rites get handed down.
On the flip side, Upper Beaconsfield has been mentioned as the worst team in Premier Division around the traps, and the Maroons will be out to shut down that talk over the next fortnight.
They’ve already defeated the Cobras once this season; and a second victory would be extremely satisfying.
It’s taken a long time to taste victory for Merinda Park; but there will be mixed emotions at the conclusion of round-14 after the Cobras win their first game of the season but also get relegated.
Expect their shining light in Premier Division over the last 13 years, Dan McCalman, to finish off his year with a big ton and the Cobras to win convincingly.
TIPS R14: PAKENHAM (4) v Tooradin (2), KOOWEERUP (3) v Devon Meadows (6), MERINDA PARK (8) v Upper Beaconsfield (7), CARDINIA (1) v Clyde (5).
