Premier Cricket Preview: Round 10

The last round of Premier Cricket prior to the Christmas/New Year break is a one day fixture this Saturday, December 17.

Here’s a preview of Round 10.

 

MATCH OF THE ROUND

Prahran (5th) 25pts v Frankston Peninsula (4th) 26pts @ Toorak Park, Toorak

2011/12 P’ran TWWWWLDWD FP WWLWLWDWD

Last time they met: Round 15 2010/11 Sat February 12 2011 – 50 overs @ AHButlerOval Frankston

Frank Pen 8/201 (Miller 61, Wild 5/41) def Prahran 55 (Boland 4/17)

A spot in the top four at the half way mark of the season is on offer for the winner of this clash.Melbourne’s ordinary weather cost Prahran a chance of victory last weekend, the late start on Sunday meant they had to dismissNorth Melbournein 40 overs after setting them a target of 350+ for victory. The rain may have saved Frankston, No’s 10 (Groves) & 11 (McCormick) hanging on to salvage a draw against a desperate St Kilda. It’s a contest pitting Prahran’s batting strength – Rogers, Salpietro, De Bolfo & Schlittler against Frankston’s superb attack of Chasemore, Miller, Groves & Boland. Frankston’s two loses for the season were 50 over contests in Rounds 3 & 5. TIP: The Two Blues should come out on top in what shapes as a terrific contest.

 

Melbourne (2nd) 32pts V  Footscray Edgewater (11th) 15pts @ The Albert Ground, Melbourne

2011/12 MCC LLWWWWDWW F’scray Edge WLLDWWDLD

Last time they met: Round 15 2010/11 Sat February 12 2011 – 50 overs @ M G Hughes Oval Footscray

MCC 8/193 (Dart 46, Robertson 4/58) def F’scray Edge 159 (Gloury 56, Hodge 4/20)

Melbourneare on a roll. They’re 2nd on the table and haven’t suffered a loss in two months. Dart and Kent are in form with the bat, Gilmour & Quinn are taking wickets. Rob Cooper will be missed. It’s been a strange season for Footscray. I can’t recall the last time the Dogs posted three consecutive scores of more than 300 runs. They’ve given up back to back totals of 300+, and that wouldn’t have happened often, if ever.  Brad Robertson is due for a bag of wickets. Saturday might be the day. I sincerely hope it is. TIP: Melbourne. The FECC attack has been belted the last two weekends. The Albert Ground “Freeway” awaits them.

 

Hawthorn Monash University (18th) 0pts v Melbourne University (17th) 4pts @ Monash University Oval#1

2011/12 HMU LLLLLLDLD Melb Uni LLLWLLDLL

Last time they met: Round 15 2010/11 Sat February 12 2011 – 50 overs @ University Main Oval

Melb Uni 223 (Leggett 61, Hewat 3/47) def HMU 180 (Entwistle 71, Kennedy 3/35)

This “Scholastic Showdown” has legitimate claims for match of the round status. Recent form suggests the Hawks will enter this contest as favourite. Is David Alleyne’s fighting ton last week an indication of better days for HMU? I hope so. Melbourne Uni had an easy T20 win over the Bulldogs on Tuesday night. Otherwise, they stink. TIP: Finally, at long last, the Hawks.

 

St Kilda (14th) 11pts v Northcote (15th) 10pts @ Junction Oval, St Kilda

2011/12 StK LWLLLWDLD N’cote LLLLWWDLD

Last time they met: Round 15 2010/11 Sat February 12 2011 – 50 overs @ Bill Lawry Oval Northcote

St Kilda 106 (Rowan 47, Doyle 4/36) def Northcote 94 (Peake 25, Warren 5/9)

Both sides came within one wicket of desperately needed points last weekend. The ‘Coteshave a handy batting line up with Peake, Taylor, Stoinis & Carlson.  The Dragons attack with the exception of Crispe (12 wkts) is a bit iffy, only two sides have given up more runs this season. 1998/99 was the last time the Saints missed the finals. Drop this one and their golden run may be at an end. Mark Cleary’s four wicket effort last week would be heartening for St Kilda, they need him firing. TIP: Saints to stay alive. Just.

 

Essendon (10th) 17pts v Camberwell Magpies (9th) 21pts @ Windy Hill Essendon

2011/12 Ess’don WLWWWLDLL C’well LWWDLWDWL

Last time they met: Round 15 2010/11 Sat February 12 2011 – 50 overs @ Camberwell Sports Ground

C’well 7/178 (Parker 65no, Berger 2/27) def Essendon 128 (Collins 27, Pearson 5/32)

The Pies dropped one they probably shouldn’t have last week. The 307 Casey set them for victory looked gettable at 2/212. They collapsed, losing their last eight wickets for 74 runs, falling 31 runs short of the required total. Essendon have been dreadful in recent weeks, falling to 10th spot on the ladder. I’m not convinced they’re that good. TIP: Camberwell

 

 

Ringwood (13th) 11pts v Carlton (1st) 40pts @ Russell Lucas Oval Ringwood

2011/12 R’wood WLLLLWDLLCarltonWWWWWWDDW

Last time they met: Round 15 2010/11 Sat February 12 2011 – 50 overs @PrincesPark#1 Oval Carlton

Carlton9/195 (Hancock 37, Gale 3/30) def Ringwood 7/192 (Holland42,Austin2/55)

Carlton rolled Essendon last start, grabbing points for the first time in a month. Jake Hancock (483 runs @69) is having a “breakout” season. Keen & Pilon have been good. Austin, Smyth & Millard have 10 or more wickets. They’ll be too good for a Ringwood team that will be kicking themselves for letting the Cats out of the bag last week. DA King (525 runs @ 65.63) & Michael Topp (19 wkts/17.16 ave) have done their bit. Otherwise its slim pickings for the rebuilding Rams. TIP: Carlton 

 

Dandenong (7th) 23pts v Geelong (8th) 22pts @ Shepley Oval Dandenong

2011/12 D’nong WWWLWLDWD G’long WWLLLDDWW

Last time they met: Round 15 2010/11 Sat February 12 2011 – 50 overs @ Geelong Cricket Ground

Geelong5/191 (L Buchanan 53, Butterfield 4/55) def Dandenong 9/190 (Nanopoulos 33, Hart 4/52)

A quarter/semi final preview could be on offer at Shepley this Saturday. Gutsy win by the Cats last week. 54 runs behind, one wicket in hand – no worries.  Dandy had an ordinary afternoon with the bat last Sunday. It’s hard to see a line up with Forsyth, Donnell, Sweeney & Dempsey failing twice in seven days. I like the look of both of these sides, this game should be a ripper. TIP: It’s at Shepley, so I’ll stick with the Panthers.

 

Fitzroy Doncaster (6th) 23pts v Richmond (3rd) 26pts @Schramms Reserve Doncaster

2011/12 F Don WWWWLLDWD R’mond LWWLWWDWD

Last time they met: Round 15 2010/11 Sat February 12 2011 – 50 overs @ Punt Road Oval Richmond

Fitzroy Doncaster 174 (Vardi 38, Jaensch 3/48) defRichmond143 (McDonald 48, Waterman 4/18)

Due to T20 commitments the Lions lose Mash & Maxwell and the Tigers will be without White, Manou, Carters and McDonald. Dale Tormey, 120 and 84 in his last two PC innings, is in sparkling form for Fitzroy Donny. He’ll face an impressiveRichmondattack lead by Allan Wise and Matt Shimmell. The team batting first may need 250 + to feel confident. TIP: Tigers to continue on their merry way.

 

Casey South Melbourne (12th) 13pts v North Melbourne (16th) 5pts @ Casey Fields #4

2011/12 CSM TLWLLLDDW NM LLLDWLDLD

Last time they met: Round 15 2010/11 Sat February 12 2011 – 50 overs @ Junction Oval St Kilda

CSM 5/153 (Trego 92) defNorth Melbourne8/149 (Sandri 67no, Herrick 3/42)

Clive Rose is having a marvellous 2011/12, scoring 210 runs at an average of 30 and taking 23 wickets at a cost of 19.74. Rose’s superb 6/88 last weekend against Camberwell swung the game in Casey’s favour.  A soggy Junction Oval saved the Roos last Sunday. Carl Sandri (12 wkts & 227 runs) & Matt Love (262 runs) have flown the flag. I’m sure they’d appreciate a little help. Any help! TIP: Casey, easy.

Comments

  1. Great work Mic, am loving these reports.

  2. pal – Thank you.

    I’ll try to beef it up a little after the break.

    Merry Christmas.

    MCR

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