Premier Cricket – Semi Final Preview

Four teams remain in the hunt for the 2011/12 Premier Cricket Pennant. The semi finals will be decided over both days this weekend (Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th March). Here’s my preview.

 

Prahran v Dandenong @ Toorak Park

Last 5 starts: P’ran WLWLW D’nong LWLLW

Last time they met: Round 4 2011/12 Saturday 22 October 2011 – 50 overs @Shepley Oval

P’ran 4/136 (Schlittler 66no, De Bolfo 27no Fairbanks 2/15) def D’nong 7/117 (Forsyth 44, T Donnell 32, Seymour 3/24, Salpietro 2/20) 

These two sides progressed to the semi final stage of the competition in contrasting ways. Prahran disposed of Camberwell with a minimum of fuss, dismissing the visitors for a paltry 133 with Seymour, Adams & McGain doing the damage with ball. All their batsman got a start, the mediocre target passed well before stumps on the first day. Mercifully the game was called off at lunch on Sunday. Dandenong’s task was a lot harder. The Panthers successfully chased down a 300+ score at Princes Park with the ageless Darren Dempsey notching his 27th District/Premier cricket century in the process. Prahran have enjoyed a magnificent season winning the T20 and one day competitions. Two Blues players feature prominently amongst the competition leaders – Schlittler, De Bolfo, Murphy & Salpietro are amongst the 30 highest scoring batsmen, and Seymour, Adams, McGain & Sealey find themselves in the Top 30 wicket takers. Dandenong openers Tom Donnell and Brett Forsyth are the only batsmen in the Top 30, James Wilcock their only bowler to appear in the corresponding chart. Whilst Peter Siddle and the Pattinson boys grab the headlines, this is a great Dandenong TEAM. Should be a walk in the park for the home side, shouldn’t it? Prahran has dropped points in three games this season, two of those clashes were at Toorak Park. Omen? Who knows! I think Prahran will win, the home sides batting appears to be a little stronger, but they underestimate the reigning premier at their own peril. TIP: Prahran

 

Richmond v Frankston Peninsula @ Central Reserve Waverley

Last 5 starts: R’mond WWWLW Frank Pen WWLLW

Last time they met: Round 15 2011/12 Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 February 2012 @ Central Reserve

R’mond 3/207 (White 55no, Carters 54no, Groves 2/30) def F Pen 203 (Miller 73, Chasemore 37, Sheridan 5/20)

Richmond’s first finals appearance at its “new” home, Central Reserve, was a huge success. The Tigers’ post season pulse was in danger of flat lining when they slumped to 6/128 on Saturday. The tail wagged, and the bowlers struck early, and often, dismissing a talented Melbourne team twice in less than a day to claim a comfortable outright victory. This is a vastly different Tiger team to the one that finished a disappointing 15th in 2010/11. Matt Shimmell has taken 31 wickets in his first full PC season, Graham Manou has been prolific in his guest appearances and the continued improvement of McDonald and Delmont has seen Richmond jump from also rans to one victory from a place in this seasons finale. Frankston staged a stirring fight back of its own last Saturday. After crashing to 7/34, Nick Jewell, with a little help from his friends at the bottom of the order, set a total the magnificent Heat attack could defend. Darren Groves’ 7/29, the first seven wicket haul of his exceptional career, (459 wickets in total) ensured Frankston would take a handy first innings lead that would be converted into a memorable outright victory on Sunday afternoon. The Heat has struggled with the stick in recent weeks having passed 200 once in its last four innings. Only one (First XI) score of 300+ has been registered on Central Reserve this season, a factor that may favour the visitors. Frankston were desperately unlucky last year, I fear they may fall just short again. TIP: Richmond

 

Comments

  1. Mick, please jog my memory. Did Dempsey ever appear @ state level, albeit in the limited overs format? Or am i confusing him with someone else, who joined the oft trodden path to SA.

    Similarily Nick Jewell’s name catches my eye. Surely the last first class cricketer to appear in the Black & Yellow @ AFL level, but who since then has combined AFL, and State cricket?

    Glen!

  2. Good morning Glen.

    Dempsey made a handful of appearances for SA in the early 00’s.

    I think Craig Bradley is the answer to your question.

    Few AFL players get the opportunity to play Premier Cricket nowadays. James Gwilt (CSM/St KFC) could be one of the last to combine football/cricket.

    MCR

  3. John Butler says

    Mic, could be some lively decks tomorrow if those covers don’t hold.

    Squalls and frequent rain presently in Ballarat.

    See you tonight?

  4. Hello John.

    Previous engagement, unfortunately unable to attend this evening.

    Weather doesn’t sound good. The Heats odds may shorten somewhat.

    MCR

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