By RUSSELL BENNETT AND JARROD POTTER
WEST GIPPSLAND CRICKET ASSOCATION
A STUNNING hat-trick from Pakenham rising star all-rounder Zac Chaplin (4/23) was the undisputed highlight of the Lions’ away Premier win over Beaconsfield.
The Tigers won the toss and elected to bat, and opened with their two best run-getters – last season’s District division superbat Brendan Johnson (16) and skipper Don Kerslake (74). The decision loomed as a masterstroke as the pair put on 59 for the first wicket before Chris Smith (2/15) struck.
Kerslake seemed undeterred despite wickets falling around him and dragged his side to 3/123 before being bowled by Lehman (2/15).
But from there – and what looked like being a promising total – the Tigers (137) collapsed – losing their last seven wickets for just 17 runs. Chaplin was simply devastating through the Beaconsfield middle-order.
Chasing 138 for victory, there were more promising signs for a Lions side skippered by Jack Anning in the absence of usual skipper Jason Williams. Lehman (44) and Smith (41) put on their first sizeable opening stand of the season and it could yet prove one that propels them to big things over the coming weeks. The Lions ultimately reached the Tigers’ total in just 33 overs and for the loss of three wickets.
In the other results of the Premier round, Cardinia (8/184 cc) turned the tables on Kooweerup (130) in their grand final rematch, Tooradin (9/196 cc) defeated Emerald (150), and Merinda Park (9/112) crawled over the line against Upper Beaconsfield (111).
Meanwhile in District division, Clyde (6/168 cc) left the heavy lifting to John Simpson (104 not out) in its win over Officer (7/131 cc). Simpson strolled to the crease and was unfazed by the Bullants’ attack, setting about his work while the rest of the Cougars decided a day off from batting was on their cards. Helping out Simpson most of all were extras (17) and beyond the charity of Officer, Clyde wicketkeeper James Abou-Jaber (16) and Gav Adams (12). Shane White (2/39) toiled for the Bullants alongside the economic Toyosi Solanke (1/10) but neither could steal the match-changing wicket of Simpson as he strolled towards his fourth WGCA century. White (42 not out) would be the number-one man again in Officer’s chase as he stood tall while the Bullants around him scurried back to the sheds. Miles (3/28) showed a little more aptitude with the ball than with the bat earlier in the day and Noel O’Brien (2/31) also added a couple of wickets to the Clyde initiative. Clyde moves up to third and faces Cranbourne Meadows in what will be an interesting battle while Officer hosts Lyndhurst Vikings.
Pakenham Upper-Toomuc (6/162 cc) blitzed St Francis Xavier (63) as Scott Clark (33 and 3/14) feasted on the X-Men with both bat and ball. Clark’s knock was one of three to reach 30 as the Yabbies in some respects failed to cash in on chances with the blade. Darren Warne (31) and Josh Noonan (31) also got their start, but went nowhere with it as Brendan Hunt (2/22) and Tim Sheperdson (2/32) bowled tidily. Against the X-Men, 162 was more than enough to defend as St Francis fell to 5/25 before the lower order gave some respect to the tally. Clark (3/14), Matt Barrand (3/19) and Tyson Carey (2/15) were the only Yabbies needed to roll the arm over and push PUT to second on the ladder. In other District results, Cranbourne Meadows (152) defeated Devon Meadows (9/139) and the Lyndhurst Vikings (9/189 cc) continued their impressive run against Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll (117).
