TIGHT RESULTS IN TIGHT COMPETITION, BUCKS CASHES IN
By Richard Millott
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Tight finishes were the order of the day in Round 3 action, with a number of teams benefiting from nail-biting finales to the day.
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At Lakesfield Reserve, Lysterfield continued on their winning ways after a 4-run win over Knox Gardens. The visitors sent the Beavers in to bat first and had early success removing both openers at 2/16. Ant Brolic and Nathan Walsh then joined at the crease, forming the backbone of the hosts revival putting on 125 runs for the 3rd wicket. Walsh departed for 65, whilst Brolic continued on to eventually be dismissed for 87. With the ball, the Falcons were well serviced by Scott McInerney and Nav Singh, both claiming 3/48 as the Beavers finished at 9/213. In reply, the Falcons started well with Pete Dunlop (37) leading the way from the top, before Jarrod Butcher (31) and Adam Wylde (47) helped continue to push the visitors towards the target. With the ball, Tim Chivers (3/24) and Kyle Gwynne (3/44) did their parts to keep the visitors in check. Needing 19 off the last 2 overs, the Falcons kept applying the pressure, taking 8 off the 39th over before keeping in the chase to the final ball of the day, ultimately falling short by 4 runs at 7/209. Lysterfield will face Ferntree Gully Footballers at Pickett Reserve next week, whilst for the Falcons they play host to Upper Ferntree Gully.
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Clint Buckland has settled in nicely at Knoxfield, scoring an unbeaten century in the Knight’s win over Belgrave. The Belgrave top order fired early – Aaron Brunner (39), Jordon King (49) and Jarrod McPhee (51*) all putting runs on the board for the Magpies, posting a healthy score of 4/184 at the end of their overs. The hosts struck early with the ball also, having the Knights at 2/13. However Buckland teamed up with Daniel Beyer at the crease, pushing the chase along via boundaries – Buckland reaching 101 not out after 12 fours and 5 sixes, whilst Beyer ended the day on 73 not out with 6 fours and 3 sixes. The Knights wrapped up the match in the 31st over, banking the 6 points at 2/187. Knoxfield return to Carrington Park to host Ferntree Gully, whilst Belgrave travel to Johnson Park.
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Eildon Park registered the 6 points after a close match against Monbulk. The Panthers took first use of the crease, with Ryan Williamson (32) leading the charge with the willow against the Hawk bowlers alongside a number of contributions towards a total of 151. Aaron Powell claimed 3/33 to be best of the bowlers for Monbulk. In reply, Aaron Bermingham (43) and Jason Fraser (37) put the Hawks in a great position to claim the points at 2/73, however Jake Evans entered the attack to turn the match on its head claiming 5/33 as the push towards the target faltered. The Hawks were dismissed on the final ball, the score standing at 145 with the Panthers 6-run victors. Eildon Park now travel to face Upwey, whilst Monbulk return home to play against The Basin.
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Upwey claimed the points over Ferntree Gully at Wally Tew Reserve. The Blues toiled hard against the Tiger attack, with Paul Jefimenko (39) opening by example early before Jason Kilby (35) added to the Blues tally to end at 8/171. The Tiger reply saw efforts from Andrew Evans (31) and a half century to Jack Waters saw the score at 4/130. The Blues shared wickets around, however the visitors were able to do enough to reach the required target, reaching 7/172 at the end of the 39th over. Upwey play host to Eildon Park, whilst for Ferntree Gully they travel to Carrington Park to play Knoxfield.
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The Basin now top the ladder after Round 3 after registering a victory over Johnson Park. The Sharks elected to bat first and had a number of contributions in a team score of 9/130, however the Bears bowling attack, lead by Jake Sherriff claiming 5/16 from his 8 overs, restricted the Sharks. The Bears were made to work for the result, with Blake Walter (67 not out) the mainstay of the innings despite a rampant Mitch Ley on the attack with the ball. Ley would end with figures of 4/28, however the Bears would end the day with the points, reaching 6/131. The Bears now travel up the hill to face Monbulk, whilst Johnson Park play host to Belgrave.
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Ferntree Gully Footballers remain just outside the top 4 after a win over Upper Ferntree Gully. The Griffens took to the crease at Dandenong Club Oval, with Amal Mahathelge leading the scoring with 36. For the Kings, Tom Roleff lead the way with the ball, claiming 3/39 as the visitors posted 8/170 from their overs. In response, the Kings were able to put together contributions up and down the scoresheet, however a steady flow of wickets to the Griffens restricted the hosts’ chase, ending up all out for 137.
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In Decoite Shield, St Johns Tecoma continued on their winning ways, accounting for Rowville at Talaskia Reserve. The Saints paced well with starts throughout the top order ensuring a steady flow of runs, whilst with the ball, Alex Walker claimed 3/35 for the Hawks to restrict the hosts to 189. The Hawks’ reply was equally well paced with starts to keep the scoreboard ticking, however a flow of wickets – lead by Andrew Wilson’s 3/38 – kept the visitors at bay, dismissing the Hawks for 131. The Saints travel to South Belgrave in a top-of-the-table matchup, whilst Rowville play host to Mountain Gate at Seebeck.
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At HV Jones, Olinda posted consecutive wins in an arm wrestle with Mountain Gate. The Gators batted first, with Mitch Goddard (53) leading the way for the hosts after being 2/7 early. The recovery saw the Gators post 6/145 from their overs. An early breakthrough in the Blood’s chase brought Michael Hyett to the crease, notching up 40 to lead the visitors with the bat. Olinda reached the target with 3 overs to spare, ending at 5/146. Olinda host Knox Gardens next week, whilst Mountain Gate travel to Rowville.
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South Belgrave registered a win over Knox Gardens at Knox Gardens Reserve. The Falcons batted first, pacing themselves over the innings to be all out for 156. Likewise, South continued to pace their reply, reaching the target score at 6/160. South will host St Johns Tecoma in Round 4, whilst for the Falcons they travel to Olinda.
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NORM REEVES SHIELD – PROVISIONAL LADDER (AFTER ROUND 3)
THE BASIN – 18PTS (2.489%)
UPWEY – 18PTS (2.164%)
LYSTERFIELD – 18PTS (1.411%)
MONBULK – 12PTS (1.336%)
FTG Fooballers – 12pts (1.166%)
Knoxfield – 12pts (0.830%)
Johnson Park – 6pts (0.933%)
Eildon Park – 6pts (0.842%)
Ferntree Gully – 6pts (0.771%)
Knox Gardens – 0pts (0.774%)
Upper Ferntree Gully – 0pts (0.708%)
Belgrave – 0pts (0.228%)
DECOITE SHIELD – PROVISIONAL LADDER (AFTER ROUND 3)
ST JOHNS TECOMA – 18PTS (2.427%)
SOUTH BELGRAVE – 12PTS (1.739%)
OLINDA – 12PTS (0.893%)
KNOX GARDENS – 6PTS (0.787%)
Rowville – 6pts (0.658%)
Mountain Gate – 0pts (0.467%)
