AROUND THE GROUNDS: HILL CLIMBS THE SUMMIT
By Richard Millott
Rowville’s Darren Hill has completed a fairytale journey as part of Australia’s Over 50’s Cricket World Cup squad, being part of the team who defeated Pakistan by 3 runs to lift the trophy.
Australia enjoyed an undefeated run through the campaign, with victories against Canada, New Zealand, England, South Africa, Wales and Sri Lanka, before defeating New Zealand by 4 runs in the Semi Final prior to the decider. Hill scored 96 runs across the Tournament, highlighted by a 41 against South Africa, and claimed 1 wicket – 1/28 against Sri Lanka to add his name to the short list of FTGDCA cricketers to lift a Cricket World Cup.
Turning local, and it was Michael Casement who had Knoxfield firmly in control at Carrington Park in their Division 3 match against Belgrave. The hosts reached 4/193 from their overs, with Jayson Scanlan (84) and Mark Pruysers (50) providing the lion’s share of the runs. In reply, Casement took the game away from the Pies as a contest early, claiming wickets to have the Pies reeling at 4/6. The visitors reached 56 in total, Casement with 5/15 from 8 overs. Elsewhere, Upwey remain in second place after prevailing in their match against Eildon Park. The Panthers lodged 8/160 from 40 overs, Jarryd Gaskin falling for 49 with Sean Woodward also featuring on the scorecard with 43, whilst with the ball Steve Gannell claimed 5/13 for the Tigers. The Tigers were served well from Damian Berenato, finishing 93 not out, whilst Quenten Wells reached 46 as the home team chased the total of 3/162 in just over 24 overs. The Basin lead Division 3 undefeated, followed by Upwey (30pts), Knoxfield and Upper Ferntree Gully (24pts), with Lysterfield a game outside on 18 points.
In Division 4, Knox-Boronia Churches continue to keep the pressure on their fellow Top-4 aspirants following victory over South Belgrave at Colchester Reserve. Chris Travers was the highlight of the innings with 81 as the Burra’s reached 8/212 from their overs. South were able to reach 6/156 in response, Glenn Arnett leading the way with 63. Meanwhile out at Knox Gardens Reserve, the Falcons remain on top of the ladder after defeating St Johns Tecoma. Andrew Potts (33) and Jay Wagner (37) combined after an early wicket to consolidate with the bat, before the middle order were able to get starts to reach 7/177, despite Andrew Wilson’s 4/50 for the Saints. Kyle Chandler lead the response with 41 before he dismissed, whilst Jonathan Smith (33), Andrew Doyle (31) and Chris Manning (37) all got starts, however the Falcons surged back, with the Saints needing 4 from the final over for victory of which the home team did not oblige – the Saints finishing at 8/176 to fall 1 run short of top spot for themselves.
Division 5 see Knox City remain undefeated following victory over Ferntree Gully. Bart Hoggett (55*) and Craig Obrien (46*) combined for an undefeated 103-run stand to take the score to 3/200, following Chris Eastwood’s 48 to commence the innings. For the Blues, Graham Salan lead the scoring with 54, with Michal Reed’s 36 also contributing towards the visitors 7/156. Meanwhile at Lysterfield, Upwey left with the points after Steve Anderton (79) earlier scored 79 as part of the Beavers 4/182 before Richard Lizza (74*) and Paul McCarrick (54) saw the Tigers reach 3/185 with two overs to spare.
St Johns Tecoma enjoyed a big win in Division 6, accounting for Olinda by 9 wickets. David Meadows (49*) and Craig Elliott (41) helped the visitors to 7/148 from 40 overs, before Travis Perkins (65*) and Trystan Bull (63*) lead the Saints past the total, reaching 1/150. Meanwhile Rowville remain on top following a win over Mountain Gate at Liberty Reserve. Suji Rajapakse (53) and Todd Henderson (53*) helped set up a target of 4/186. For the Gators, Mark Argus scored the bulk of the runs with 64 not out to reach 1/121.
In Division 7, The Basin suffered their first defeat of the campaign against Knoxfield at Batterham Park. The Bears reached 3/151 – Jai Armstrong (64) the lead with the willow, before Brodie Paroissien (51) and Mitch Burley (72*) joined to take the Knights to victory, reaching 2/155. Meanwhile Eildon Park’s Ryan Dozzi joined the Centurian Club reaching 103 retired not out as part of the Panther’s 5/264 from 35 overs. Tyler Hoffman came close to joining Dozzi also, before being dismissed for 96. In reply, the Sharks were unable to get towards the target, reaching 3/112 thanks to Cody Morrison (56) and Zac Levitt (33).
A Division 8 runfest was the order of the day at Upwey’s back oval, with Belgrave running out winners. Set 4/259 by the Tigers, including a century from Jake Fisher and supporting efforts from Ryley Hannagan (54) and Jack Squires (45), the Pies were determined to claim the points, with Dana Smith (100 ret not out), Andrew Dodds (62) and John Wade (73*) setting the foundations of Belgrave’s successful chase of 2/264. Up at Kalorama Reserve, Footballers reached 5/276 with Brayden Bowes reaching 100 retired alongside Dale Collins (60). In reply Peter Bolam (67) and Matt Burgan (61) were highlights as part of Olinda’s 6/180.
In B1 One Day Grade, St Johns Tecoma enjoyed victory over Lysterfield, Johnson Park comfortably chased Bayswater’s total and Knox City had 4 overs to spare in their chase of Eildon Park. The Sharks enjoy top spot of the One Day ladder, with St Johns Tecoma, Lysterfield and Knox City all completing the Top 4 with Bayswater a game behind.
In Representative duties, congratulations to The Basin’s Jake Sherriff on being selected in the Victorian Country Cricket League squad for the Australian Country Cricket Championships at Shepparton in January. Sherriff joins the squad for the second year running and will look to be playing a key part of the Victorian effort at a home National Championships.
Practice matches against Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association last Sunday were weather-affected, with FTGDCA’s Under 18 team defeated in the rain affected match. Reaching 8/142 from 42 overs, MPCA chased the total to be 5/144. Under 16 Gold were unable to commence at Karingal, whilst the Green team posting a win at Talaskia. MPCA were dismissed for 120, before FTG reached 5/158 from 29 overs. In Under 14s, FTGDCA Gold registered a win, dismissing MPCA for 136 in reply to the home squad’s 7/189. Meanwhile in Under 12 Gold, it was FTGDCA again victorious, their 9/191 proving too good for the MPCA, who reached 8/140.
