Premier Cricket – Round 10 review

Saturday’s one day fixture was the final round of Premier Cricket for 2011. The results included the second tied match of the season, a huge upset and a severe beating.

At Toorak Park Darren Groves ran through the top half of Prahran’s much vaunted batting line up, his four early wickets leaving the Two Blues in a sick and sorry state at 5/21. Neil Schlittler (112) and Liam Murphy (93) then set about the task of resurrecting their team’s fortunes, the pair adding 206 runs for the sixth wicket. The ton was Schlittler’s seventh in his Premier Cricket First XI career. Prahran completed their 50 overs with 243 runs for the loss of 8 wickets.Groves’ afternoons work with ball read 10 overs, 2 maidens, 4 wickets, 17 runs. The 33 year old has more than 440 wickets for the Heat in a magnificent career that commenced way back in season 1995/96. In reply Frankston were in control at 3/157, Matt Chasemore (67) and Ben Clements (41) adding 103 runs for the fourth wicket. When both departed for the addition of only 8 more runs the game swung Prahran’s way. Wickets continued to tumble and Frankston were eventually dismissed for 230. Rhys Adams (3/36) took the bowling honours for the home side. 

Premier Cricket’s version of “University Challenge” was a ripper, with Hawthorn/Monash and Melbourne playing out the second tie of the 2011/12 season. The two points the Hawks garnered for their efforts were their first since defeating Essendon on October 30 2010. Melbourne Uni batted first and totalled 6/200 (cc), Michael Nalesnyik (49) & Mark Simpson (30no) the best with the bat, Grant Westgarth led the Hawk attack taking 2/16 off 10 overs. When Craig Entwistle (46) playing his 200^th Premier Cricket First XI match, and Lachlan Inglis (0) departed, HMU slumped to 5/124, still 77 runs adrift of the target. It appeared the Hawks final opportunity to break the 2011 premiership points drought had dissipated. Last weeks hero David Alleyne (54 no) was joined by Simon Black (26no) their efforts getting the Hawks oh so close to victory, both teams locked on 200 at the completion of HMU’s 50^th over.  Scott Sanders (2/17) & Simpson (2/18) were the multiple wicket takers for Melbourne Uni.

Northcote were humiliated by St Kilda at the Junction Oval. The Saints attack slayed the Dragons for 55, the visitors pitiful effort saw them negotiate a mere 31.2 of their allocated 50 overs. Matt Fuller (27) and Steve Taylor (10) were the only batsmen to reach double figures, the ‘Coteslosing 5/2 early in the day crumbling from 12 for nought to 5/14. Daniel Mueller (3/15) and Mark Cleary (2/14) were the early destroyers, Daniel Babula (3/15) mopped up the tail. Saints openers Peter Handscomb (25no) and Dan Forbes (26no) knocked off the required runs to keep their finals chances well and truly alive.

Footscray Edgewater provided the surprise of the afternoon handing Melbournetheir first loss in two months. The Demons batted first on the Albert Ground Autobahn compiling 8/222, the evergreen Simon Dart (S4), Matt Brown (48) and the prolific Andrew Kent (38) best for theDees. After scoring 3 runs,Kent reached the 8,000 run milestone in Premier Cricket. Congratulations Andrew! Travis Dean (2/29), Ben Green (2/35) & Shane Jones (2/40) bowled exceptionally well for Footscray. The Bulldogs were cruising at 2/169 but lost 3/10 giving the MCC a whiff of victory. The visitors, with four changes to last weeks team, dug deep and reached 7/223 with five balls to spare in what was their best win for the season. Dean Russ (85) was superb for the Dogs, his 84 run partnership for the second wicket with Nick Oldridge (34) setting the table for the much needed victory. Nick Quinn (3/38) was terrific forMelbourne.

 

David A King’s one man campaign to keep Ringwood competitive in 2011/12 wasn’t enough to preventCarltonfrom completing the pre Christmas section of the campaign undefeated. King (102) now has 627 runs for the season at the imposing average of 69.66. He’s responsible for 31.6% of Ringwood’s 1984 PC runs for the season. Unfortunately King received precious little support from his team mates, the Rams dismissed for 175. Teenager Matt Freeman (4/44) was the standout performer for the Blues in only his second senior match.Carltoncoasted to victory in just under 38 overs, finishing the afternoon at 4/178. Nathan Pilon (71) top scored forCarlton.

Following on from his career best 84 last week, Jolyon Leaver (70) top scored for Casey South Melbourne in their home clash withNorth Melbourne. Lever received tremendous support from Clive Rose (60), the Bloods reaching 8/228 after 50 overs. The Roos fell just short of the Swans total, and finished 8/224 in reply; Eric Ghasperidis (74) and Shane McNamara (43) led the North charge. No prizes for guessing that Rose (3/37) was best with the ball for the hosts. Two wins a row for Casey SM suggests they’re gearing up for a run at the finals after the break.

Hayden Butterworth (111) and Matt Harrison (47) shared an opening partnership of 98 inGeelong’s 7/254 (cc). It was Butterworth’s highest score at senior Premier Cricket level. James Wilcock (4/59) was the best performed of a Dandenong attack that has given up 864 runs in their last three matches.  Dandenong struggled early and at 4/47 looked to be heading for a heavy defeat, however James Nanopoulos (63) and Michael Sweeney (42) set about repairing the damage adding 92 for the fifth wicket before Nanopoulos exited Shepley Oval. A late inning rear guard effort added some respectability to the Panthers score, the home side 7/225 still 30 runs adrift of the target at the compulsory closure. Jeremy Hart (2/49) was the only multiple wicket taker for the Cat’s.Geelongreplaced Dandenong in the eight with this victory; they sit in sixth position with the reigning premiers falling to ninth on percentage.

Camberwell knocked up 8/215 against Essendon at Windy Hill, Tom Rickarby (87) the best with the bat for the Pies.  With his second “five for” in 11/12, Steven Reid (5/51) did his bit for the Bombers. Essendon struggled from the outset and were eventually dismissed in the final over for 164. Ben Howell (54) performed admirably in what was another sub-standard effort by the ‘Dons. Camberwell’s Jack McNamara (3/30) took his seasons tally to 14 wickets. Essendon are winless in their last five starts. If the Bombers are entertaining any ideas of finals action it’ll require a dramatic form when they return following the holiday hiatus.

At Schramms Reserve Doncaster, Richmonddismissed the home side for a less than satisfactory total of 163. The Lions were best served by Peter Dickson (44) & the in form Dale Tormey (44), the pair adding 66 for the 3^rd wicket. Brenton McDonald (3/31) returned the best figures for the Tigers.Richmond passed the total with more than three overs and four wickets to spare, the visitors finishing on 6/167.  Andrew Delmont (81no) starred for the Yellow & Black, who go to the Christmas break in third position with a great chance to play senior finals for the first time since the 2003/04 season.

 

Ladder: Carlton 45, Melbourne 32, Richmond 30, Prahran 29, Frankston 26, Camberwell 26, Geelong 26, Fitzroy Doncaster 23, Dandenong 23, Footscray Edgewater 19, Essendon 17, Casey South Melbourne 17,  St Kilda 16, Ringwood 11, Northcote 10, Melbourne University 6, North Melbourne 5, Hawthorn Monash University 2.

Seasons greetings everyone.

MCR