Premier Cricket – Round 12 review

A controversial end to proceedings, two outright results, a couple of maiden tons (same team seven days apart) and an “Eight for” headlined the Round 12 action of Premier Cricket.

 

Richmond (5/139) & Hawthorn Monash University (191) got the afternoon off when umpires deemed the Monash University pitch “unfit for play” after less than an hour on Saturday. Resuming at 1-118 and requiring just 74 more runs for victory the visitors would’ve fancied their chances. Tom Collette (4/24) ripped throughRichmond’s top order and the Tigers, with five wickets in hand, were still 53 runs shy of the victory target when the game was abandoned.  It’s believed both sides will lodge an appeal in the hope of attaining match points some time this week.

 

Frankston (7/172 dec & 2/75) knocked over the struggling Northcote (126 &120) to grab maximum points. James Miller (6/26) was the destroyer for the Heat on day one Scott Boland (4/28) and Darrell Groves (3/14) the stars on the second afternoon. Matt Chasemore did his bit with bat and ball (64 & 28 no and 2/17). The 10 points move Frankston into third position on the table.

 

Prahran (5/251 dec & 0-32) crushedMelbourneUniversity(127 & 155) to jump into second spot on the ladder. Paul Sealey (8/54), career best figures for the 31 year old, ran through the Students second innings. Sealey’s fine work complemented the marvellous efforts of Neil Schlittler (120no) and Steve Seymour (6/67) seven days earlier.

Casey South Melbourne (240) rolled Ringwood (205). Jake Best (84), his third half century in his last five innings, was the standout for Casey. At 6/107 the Rams needed a rescue job and Brendan Walsh (45) and Cricket Superstar contestant Ian Holland (36) added 72 for the seventh wicket. It wasn’t enough, Jade Herrick (5/85) helping the Bloods to the points and for the time being a spot in the eight.

 

Geelong(309) prevailed overMelbourne(241) in the match of the Round, the Cats winning their fifth game on the trot to join the Demons in equal fourth spot on 37 points. Hayden Butterworth (99) came close to registering his second ton of the season, and added 129 for the fifth wicket with Jacob Thorne (70). Marc Carson grabbed the early wickets of Kent (12), McDonald (0), and Tomkinson (1) to send the MCC reeling from 0/33 to 3/35. Rob Cooper (97) and Simon Dart (48) added 113 for the fourth wicket, but when Cooper was the sixth man out with the score at 200 the Cats were never going to be passed.Carson(6/38) has 22 wickets for the season.

 

At Schramms Reserve Carlton (7/350), with Trent McCormick (94) and Tom Smyth (86) scoring season highs, crushed Fitzroy Doncaster (142). Lloyd Mash (61) was the only batsmen to trouble the top of the table Blues, Nick Austin (3/38) taking the bowling honours for the visitors. The Lions have dropped their last three matches and haven’t taken any points since the first weekend in December. A stunning reversal of form is required if they’re to remain a finals contender.

 

 

Maiden centuries to Carl Sandri (100) on day 1 and Shane McNamara (102no) day 2 helpedNorth Melbourne(182 & 6/188 dec) to its second victory of the season at the expense of Essendon (105 & 4/186). The Bombers, resuming at 6/93 on Saturday and were dismissed after adding a dozen runs to their overnight total, Matt Stevenson (5/47) splendid for the Roos. North move off the bottom of the table with this win, Essendon have lost their previous five games and the end of the season can’t come quick enough for the men from Windy Hill.

 

Dandenong (218) accounted for Camberwell (168 & 5/138) at Shepley Oval, Tom Donnell (84) and Darren Dempsey (51) the best for the Panthers. Donnell has scored 582 runs at Premier Cricket level this season at an average of just under 60. Andrew Fekete (6/104 from 29 overs) was terrific for the Maggies who were well served by Simon Hill (78no) in their second dig. James Nanopoulos (3/20 & 3/14) starred for the Panthers with the ball both afternoons, Darren Pattinson (2/26) bowled 10 overs on the first day.

 

Footscray Edgewater (191 & 0/41) disposed of St Kilda (129) at the Junction Oval. Travis Dean (61) & Dean Russ (39) led the Doggies scorers, Dan Babula (5/33) wonderful for the hosts on the first day. Day two saw Tallan Wright (5/16) return his best figures in Premier Cricket, receiving stupendous support from Brad Robertson (3/57) and Andrew McCammond (1/18 from 16 overs).  It was the Dogs first win over the Saints in almost a decade, their first victory at the picturesqueFitzroy Streetvenue for nigh on 20 years. Watching the Footscray bowlers tighten the screws and strangle what remained of the once powerful St Kilda outfit was a joy to experience. Thanks fellas.

 

At the completion of twelve rounds the top eight is as follows:

 

Carlton(51pts)

Prahran (44pts)

Frankston (41pts)

Melbourne(37pts)

Geelong(37pts)

Dandenong (33pts)

Richmond(30pts)

Casey-South Melbourne (27pts)

Comments

  1. You sound tentatively hopeful the Doggies can push in to the finals Mic?
    What a farce out at Monash!
    Great summary as always.
    Thanks.

  2. Crio – Dogs have to win one of their next two. Unfortunately they run into two very good teams, first Prahran at home then travel to Frankston. The loss to HMU after Xmas may cost them dearly.

    The outcome of the Monash fiasco will be interesting. Can’t see PC changing the result.

    Off topic – I know you enjoy a punt you might be interested in the $4.50 on offer for Crystal Palace in tomorrow mornings LC semi final second leg. They’ll be fresh as 9 players were rested from the side that went down to Blackpool on Saturday. Speak highly of me when you collect !

    MCR

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