By RUSSELL BENNETT
WEST GIPPSLAND CRICKET ASSOCIATION
REVIEW – ROUND 14 (DAY 1)
JUST when it seems his form can’t get any better, Pakenham gun Russell Lehman takes it to a completely new level.
He sliced through the Upper Beaconsfield batting line-up in round 13, snaring a career-best 7/17 and drawing the highest of praise from Lions president Phil Anning who said: “As far as I’m concerned, Russ’ performances this year have him in the top four or five cricketers I’ve ever seen at the club”.
And on Saturday on Toomuc Reserve’s front ground, Lehman claimed another seven-wicket haul – this time against the reigning Premiers Kooweerup – finishing with 7/54 from his 27 overs.
The Demons were dismissed for 202 in the 68th over with only skipper Michael Giles (48) making it past 30. The visitors have a series of rash shots to blame for their total, with all but three of their batsmen getting double-figure starts.
It seemed like it was business as usual at the top of the Kooweerup order with Giles and Chris O’Hara (29) putting on 85 for the first wicket. But O’Hara wasn’t particularly impressed with where the Demons’ innings went from there – and he included himself and Giles in that.
“If you look back you could say almost every one of us got ourselves out,” he said, bluntly.
“They bowled really well but some pretty poor shot selection brought about a lot of our downfalls.
“Doof (Giles) and I really should have gone on with it and it’s just disappointing that we didn’t bat out our overs – that’s a cardinal sin.”
Still, if any team would back itself in to win with a relatively modest 202 on the board, it’s the reigning premiers Kooweerup. These Demons are ruthless with the ball and they’ve got no shortage of in-form options to turn to this week.
O’Hara paid credit to Pakenham and its committee for the way in which it hosted Pink Ladies Day on Saturday.
“Full credit to the club and their hard-working committee – they do a fantastic job,” he said.
“They always do things extremely professionally and they should be really proud of their efforts.
“Sometimes you need clubs to set the standard and I know other clubs are envious of their committee and how they go about it.”
Pakenham will resume this Saturday on 0/23 with Jack Anning (9) and Chris Smith (13) at the crease – the latter having already received a life before stumps on the first day; dropped at point.
Meanwhile, in local District division action, Pakenham Upper-Toomuc (106) will fight for its finals life at home this Saturday against Officer (6/97); Devon Meadows (180) well and truly has the upper hand over Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll (3/42); and the SFX Old Collegians (3/57) are doing it tough after day one of their clash with Cranbourne Meadows (8/204).
At Sub-District level, Pakenham hard hitter Sean Gramc (124) capped off a trying individual season with a blistering century to have his side well on top against Nyora.
Gramc came to the crease after the loss of three quick wickets but quickly found his feet – surging past the 30s for the first time in a game this season. He wasn’t done there though – not even close. He smashed the Maroons attack to all parts as skipper Scott Webster (41), Steve Dillon (35) and Nic Close (23) took the side to 250.
Gavin Hackett (3/55) and Keith Maclure (3/62) were the leading wicket-takers for Nyora, which will resume on 0/26 on Saturday.
