KNIGHTS WIN CUP, CHIVERS THE HAT-TRICK HERO
By Richard Millott
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Knoxfield won the Beyond Blue Cup in their T20 matchup against Upper Ferntree Gully to bring the season to the halfway mark on Sunday afternoon.
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Knoxfield took first use of the facilities looking to set a large target however Chris Wilson and former-Melbourne FC forward Tim Smith both claimed 3 wickets apiece across the day to keep the visitors in check at 5/52 from 11 overs, which soon became 8/59 as the Kings pounced with the ball. The Knights were dismissed prior to the break for 99. The Kings were well on the way towards the target at 2/69 at the 13 over mark, with Daniel Gilbin (32) top scoring. However the Knights’ pressure to close run scoring options sparked a terminal collapse, with the Kings losing 8/14 to be dismissed for 88 as the wickets were shared around. However beyond the result was the fundraising efforts towards Beyond Blue, with $1800 raised to assist in providing invaluable mental health support services.
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Lysterfield jumped to second on the ladder after an inspiring win against Ferntree Gully Footballers. Tim Chivers tore through the Griffens early, claiming a hat-trick to put the visitors in all sorts at 4/17. Cohen McElroy (42) helped to right the innings but it was Chivers again who closed out the innings, claiming 6/25 from his 4 overs as the Griffens reached 116. In reply, Nathan Hicks (37) got the Beavers off to a flying start before Anthony Brolic (31*) and Nathan Walsh (40*) brought home the win, passing the target at 2/117. Lysterfield will look to close out a memorable 2019 in their T20 matchup against Belgrave next week, whilst for the Griffens they will look to return to the winners’ list against Johnson Park.
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The Basin remain in the 4 courtesy of victory against Upwey at Batterham Reserve. Sent in to bat first, the Bears scored frequently however the Tigers balanced the match well with a steady flow of wickets. Blake Walter (47) was the mainstay of the innings as the home team reached 8/163 before the change-over. Wickets were hard to come by for the Bears as Upwey went after a second win for the season. Cameron Wheeler (59) reached a half century whilst Jordan Dunstone (31) and Kyle Snyman (30) furthered the visitors’ case. Despite this, the Bears’ fielding helped to restrict the scoring as the visitors fell short at 5/152. Despite winning, The Basin drop to 3rd whilst Upwey’s run of narrow losses continue – a trend they will be looking to change when they host Upper Ferntree Gully next week, whilst The Basin travel to the in-form Knox Gardens to round out the year.
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Eildon Park were clinical in their performance against Belgrave, with a healthy percentage boost coming along with the 6 points. After an early loss left the Panthers at 1/7, David Smyth and Josh Dowling united to put on a 144-run stand in rapid fire, before Dowling was dismissed in the latter stages for 73 from 56 balls. Smyth reached the end of the innings, unbeaten on 77 not out after facing 56 balls as Eildon Park made 2/163. Aaron Brunner made his first single-digit score since Round 4 last season and the Pies were 3/30 with the Panthers up-and-about. Luke Spence (36) was the lead of the reply with an even contribution through the middle order helping to take Belgrave to 8/135 from their 20 overs. Eildon Park sit outside the 4 on points only however the percentage increase will come in handy should they defeat Knoxfield next week. Belgrave have slipped to 5th and will be looking to re-ignite their charge up the leader board against Lysterfield next week.
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Knox Gardens sit 4th after defeating Johnson Park on Sunday. Josh Gregory (35) made the Sharks wait for the opening breakthrough, whilst Pete Dunlop (45) and Mitch Gregory (37) set the innings up nicely at 3/130. Ultimately, the Falcons reached 5/160 and were able to extract wickets early as the Sharks were 2/28. David Devenish (46) was the noted scorer as the Sharks were behind all day and fell short, reaching 7/148. Knox Gardens host The Basin in their T20 next week, whilst Johnson Park will be looking for their opening win of the season against Ferntree Gully Footballers.
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In Decoite Shield, Rowville held off a fast-finishing Olinda to keep touch with the pack. James Rogers (35) and Brett Gatehouse (30) lead the way for the Hawks in some late-innings hitting to reach 6/152. Not to be outdone, Hunter Greenall hit 56 from 37 balls to have the Bloods at 2/87 as they searched for a way to stop the flow of Hawk wickets and restrictive fielding. Coming down to the last over, the Bloods had it all to do however fell just short, reaching 7/147. Rowville will travel to Knox Gardens to close out their year, whilst for Olinda they host South Belgrave.
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Ferntree Gully suffered the first loss of the season at the hands of South Belgrave. Harley McDermott was instrumental for South, claiming 4/34 from his overs whilst Gavin Kalisperis (36) countered for the Blues at the crease to help the visitors to 121. On the home deck, Daniel Cormack (33) and Jordan McDermott (56*) helped South to reach the target with an over to spare, ending at 2/122. South Belgrave jump from 4th to 2nd after results, and will look to capitalise on their position against Olinda. Ferntree Gully remain on top and will look to keep it that way against St Johns Tecoma.
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Mountain Gate made it two wins in as many days after defeating St Johns Tecoma at Talaskia Reserve. The Gators looked to struggle early at 4/35 before Brad Croxford (38) and Kallum Croxford regained the upper hand, with Kallum reaching 52 off 28 balls. The visitors reached 180, with Aaron Grenda (3/24) the pick of the bowling for the Saints. Alex Ferguson (44) lead the reply for the Saints however they had no answer for Russell Wilson, with the young pacer claiming 6/18 from 3.1 overs to dismiss the home team for 127. The Gators will look to take this weekends’ form into their final match of the year against Monbulk at HV Jones, whilst St Johns Tecoma will want to regain their top 4 composure in an away trip to Ferntree Gully.
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Monbulk are in the 4 after a 41-run win over Knox Gardens at Monbulk. Jason Fraser (71) and Justin Creed (45) showed speed between the wickets in setting their scores, helping the Hawks to reach 4/149. Braden Taeuber took 3/15 as the Falcon batsmen struggled early and eventually were dismissed at the end for 108. The Hawks come down to HV Jones to build on momentum, whilst for the Falcons they take on Rowville as part of the early Cure Brain Cancer Double Header at Knox Gardens Reserve.
PROVISIONAL LADDER – NORM REEVES SHIELD (END OF ROUND 3 REPLAY)
KNOXFIELD – 30pts (1.889%)
LYSTERFIELD – 30pts (1.317%)
THE BASIN – 30pts (1.207%)
KNOX GARDENS – 30pts (1.192%)
Eildon Park – 24pts (1.218%)
Belgrave – 18pts (0.964%)
FTG Footballers – 12pts (0.730%)
Upwey – 6pts (0.947%)
Johnson Park – 0pts (0.715%)
Upper FTG – 0pts (0.612%)
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PROVISIONAL LADDER – DECOITE SHIELD (END OF ROUND 3 REPLAY)
FERNTREE GULLY – 30pts (1.705%)
SOUTH BELGRAVE – 24pts (1.287%)
MONBULK – 24pts (1.265%)
ST JOHNS TECOMA – 18pts (1.231%)
Knox Gardens – 18pts (1.093%)
Rowville – 18pts (0.996%)
Mountain Gate – 12pts (0.539%)
Olinda – 0pts (0.540%)
