Premier Cricket – Round 8 review

 

by Mic Rees

Round 8 of Premier Cricket was a Saturday/Sunday fixture completed last weekend (Dec 3 & 4). Bat dominated ball with 9 batsmen posting centuries. Amongst the three figure totals were two maiden tons, another coming off the bat a district stalwart, his first in senior company in over a decade.

At the Junction Oval Prahran honoured club legend Sam Loxton in the best possible way destroying 2010/11 minor premier St Kilda by 170 runs. A more appropriate venue for the demolition would’ve been difficult to find considering Loxton, who passed away at the age of 90 last Friday, played 17 of his 41 VFL games for the footballing Saints between 1942 to 1946 at the picturesque Fitzroy Street venue. Daniel Salpietro (95) led the charge for the Two Blues, Liam Murphy (68no) and skipper Neil Schlittler (54) provided solid support allowing Prahran to declare its first innings closed at 9/308. Bowling honours went to Chris Simpson (5/90) the former Queensland captain getting his Premier Cricket career off to a fine start.  Apart from Andrew McGuiness (56) and Peter Handscomb (36), little resistance was offered by the Saints on Sunday. An inept effort with the willow saw the home side meekly surrender for 138, losing their last 6 wickets for the addition of only 33 runs. Stephen Seymour (6/57) returned his best figures for the season. With the heat out of the contest the hosts complied 1/107 in their second innings.

Footscray Edgewater reached 301 on the first day of their clash with reigning premier Dandenong thanks to two fine performances from young tyros Travis Dean (73) and Dylan Kight (51). Their efforts were in vain as the Dandy batmen dispatched the FECC bowlers to all parts of Shepley Oval on Sunday, finishing at 3/303. Openers Tom Donnell (109) and “comeback player of the year” Brett Forsyth (122no) put on 172 for the first wicket before Donnell departed, the Panthers requiring only 92 overs to claim victory. Forsyth’s unbeaten century was his third ton for the season, giving him 490 runs for 2011/12 at the imposing average of 98. He returned to Shepley Oval for the start of the 2011/12 campaign after enduring a barren 2010/11 with Prahran, scoring a paltry 163 runs at an average of 10.87. There’s no place like home.

At Russell Lucas Oval Ringwood, David A King’s second century for the season (171 no) headlined the Rams 5/375 declared. Richmond’s run chase got off to a disastrous start when second string Victorian keeper Ryan Carters was dismissed for a first ball duck, the visitors 1 for 2 at stumps. Fear not, the 11/12 version of Tigers is a hardy ambush. At 4/142 Will Sheridan & Graham Manou joined forces, the pair adding 162 for the fifth wicket before Manou (120) departed the contest, his maiden Premier Cricket century coming in only his second Premier cricket outing. The South Australian import is averaging 101.5 for his new team. Richmond reached the target off 97.4 overs finishing the afternoon 7/378, a superb victory keeping the Yellow & Black in equal second position on the table.

Nick Richardson (70) top scored in Camberwell’s mediocre first innings total of 220, a total that appeared well within reach of North Melbourne at stumps on Saturday, the visitors well placed at 0/41. North slumped early on Sunday morning losing 4 quick wickets and were eventually dismissed for 173, Carl Sandri (66) a shining light in an otherwise less than adequate performance from the Roos. Jack McNamara (5/30) was the chief destroyer, his efforts with the ball complementing his 33 runs the previous afternoon.

At Casey Fields, the home side finished day one at 6/305. Rohan Blandford (81), Clive Rose (62) and Shaun Foster (59) doing their bit with the bat. The Swans declared at 9/331 on Sunday morning setting top of the table Carlton a difficult task. The decision to bat on may have cost CSM the six first innings points they so desperately require, the Blues finishing on 9/213 at the close of play. Jake Hancock (120) registered his maiden Premier Cricket First XI century but got precious little support elsewhere. Rose (3/70) was the pick of the Casey bowlers; his haul included the key wickets of Pilon and Keen, neither batsman getting off the mark.

Jeremy Hart (5/70) helped Geelong restrict Essendon to 172 in their first innings at Windy Hill. Ben McRae (46) was the only Bomber batsman to get amongst the runs. In response the Cats finished the opening days play 5/125 at stumps still 48 runs short of the target. With the game still in the balance Jacob Thorne (63) helped guide his team past the score required, the visitors all out for 205. Batting a second time the Dons were 1/118 when the umpires had seen enough, McRae (59no) compiling a nice double.

Northcote could only manage 235 on Saturday at the Albert Ground, Steve Gilmour (5/61) from 25 overs work the best for the home side. Andrew Kent (102no) and Rob Cooper (42) got Melbourne off to a flyer the opening stand reaching 76 when Cooper exited. Kent’s first ton for 2011/12, the 14th of his distinguished Premier Cricket career, was a welcome return to form following a relatively quiet start to the season for the Demons run machine. With Melbourne 6 for 207, the ‘Cotes may have fancied their chances, however Kent and Gilmour steered the Dee’s home without any further casualties. Melbourne is unbeaten in their last six Premier Cricket outings.

At Schramms Reserve on Saturday, Melbourne University veteran Mark Simpson (103) cracked his first senior grade century in more than a decade, playing a lone hand in Uni’s modest 209. Best for the Lions was Jon Fagg (5/35). In reply the hosts found themselves in a touch of bother early, stumbling to 3/40 before Dale Tormey (120) & Lloyd Mash (94) combined for a 192 run fourth wicket partnership that lead the Lions to a comfortable win, eventually declaring at 9/329. It was Tormey’s first senior ton for Fitzroy Donny. Mash (514 at 73.4) is enjoying a stupefyingly brilliant season at club level. With two matches to go remaining prior to the Christmas hiatus 1000 runs for the summer may not be out of the question for the 30 year old former state opener. Melbourne University reached 1/65 in their second dig when turn when time was called.

If not for the efforts of Lachlin Inglis (54) Hawthorn Monash Uni’s meagre total of 164 would’ve been pitiful. It was never going to be enough against last seasons beaten grand finalist Frankston Peninsula, the Heat cruising to an easy victory, eventually declaring at 5/304. Captain Matt Chasemore (120no) is having a “career year” taking his season tally to 379 runs at an average of 75.8. Chasemore, who entered the weekend contest with 14 wickets, didn’t feel the need to bowl himself on Saturday; Victorian representative Scott Boland (4/21) took the bowling honours for Frankston. The Hawks did a little better the second time around compiling 1/64 at the close.

After 8 Rounds Carlton lead the table with 34 points, from Frankston Peninsula, Richmond and Melbourne follow, all have 26 points. Hawthorn Monash University bring up the rear and are yet to open their account for 2011/12.

 

Comments

  1. John Butler says

    Good stuff Mic

    The junior team I coached played against Tom Donnell all the way from U12’s to U16’s.

    Nice kid and a fine batsman.

  2. Thanks John.

    Did your paths cross during your time in the Federal League ?

    Tom Donnell is enjoying a superb season. 349 runs at an average of just under 50, continuing on from a fine performance in last seasons final where he made 83 & 50 in a very low scoring affair.

    Nice to hear one of the “good guys” doing OK. Hope he gets a hit this weekend.

    MCR

  3. John Butler says

    Mic, by that stage the Federal was a juniors-only comp. A pretty small one at that.

    Tom played for Cheltenham. I coached Parkdale United.

    One of the lads I coached was James Nanopoulos, who has been one of Tom’s team mates at Dandy for some years now, includung both flags Dandy have won.

    I think it’s a good result for a small comp to get 2 Premier cricket players from the one cohort.

    I hasten to add that James prospered in spite of my coaching.

  4. Barny/Josh's dad says

    Melbourne fast bowler Steve Gilmour is originally from Waaia, playing cricket and football for Waaia. Debuted as a 15 year old in senior football for Waaia. His brother David captains both senior cricket and football sides at Waaia.

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