By David Nagel
Three games remain in round 12 of the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association (CCCA) Premier Division this Saturday with all matches set to have a significant impact on the future prospects of the competing clubs.
Cardinia and Tooradin will sit out this week after their round-12 engagement came to an end in spectacular fashion across the Australia Day weekend.
Cardinia, the Bulls, rolled the reigning champions for just 121 on day-one, but then succumbed to a masterclass from Seagulls’ all-rounder Russell Lehman (8/34).
Lehman took a hat-trick, and five wickets from his last nine balls, as the Bulls were rolled for just 83 on their home deck.
It leaves the Bulls vulnerable in fourth place on the ladder, while the Seagulls climb to top place ahead of next weekend’s blockbuster clash with Pakenham.
The Lions can regain that top position this week, but will have to do it the hard way after Carlisle Park (6/344) set the visitors a mammoth task to achieve on day two.
Ben Perry (121) and Shalika Karunanayake (111) were the shining lights for the Vikings last Saturday, while skipper Teddy Fonseka (50) was also instrumental in giving the home side the upper hand.
Pakenham – with Dale Tormey, Chris Smith, Jack Anning, Jason Williams and Rob Elston – has the top-order to really challenge the Vikings’ total.
It’s likely to take something special from either Tormey or Smith to get the Lions across the line…but you just never know with the season the Lions are having.
But the Vikings should surely get the job done.
In the other big game this week, Clyde (0/5) has the opportunity to climb from the bottom rung of the ladder when the Cougars attempt to hunt down the impressive total of Officer (238).
Not out opener Michael Vandort is due a big score for the Cougars, and his wicket will be the prime target for Ash Smith and his Bullants when play resumes on the weekend.
The Bullants are a bowler down, with Aidan Pipicelli recovering from a hamstring, so the Cougars will fancy their chances.
We’ll go for Vandort and skipper Brett Reid to lead their team to victory.
If Officer do happen to win, they’ll have a huge opportunity to keep their finals chances alive with a home game against Cardinia in round 13.
Another team looking to keep its finals chances alive is Merinda Park (0/1), who confront a gettable total against third-placed Kooweerup (195) at Donnelly Reserve.
The Cobras had the Demons on the ropes on day one, but a steadying partnership between Gamini Kumara and Jess Mathers lifted the visitors to a competitive score.
The Demons have depth with their bowling, and should win with Mathers, Kumara, Luke McMaster and spinner Matt Bright likely to cause the out-of-form Cobras’ batters some headaches.
Daniel McCalman holds the key for the hosts; and is likely to need 80 to 90 to give the Cobras a chance at victory.
Ladder: Tooradin 126, Pakenham 114, Kooweerup 78, Cardinia 66, Merinda Park 42, Carlisle Park 42, Officer 42, Clyde 30.
Scores – Round 12: Clyde 0/5 v Officer 238 (K Hawkins 49, D Kneebone 42, NJ McLennan 40, J James 33, N Whitelaw 32, T Senarathna 6/51, J Janssen 2/45). Merinda Park 0/1 v Koo Wee Rup 195 (GC Kumara 84, J Mathers 33, T Bertrand 3/37, M Campbell 3/45). Carlisle Park 6/344 (B Perry 121, SP Karunanayake 111, A Fonseka 50, V Dassanayake 25, T Tyrrell 2/67, JP Williams 2/116) v Pakenham. Cardinia 83 (R Lehman 8/34 (inc hat-trick) def by Tooradin 121 (C O’Hare 39, L Volpe 3/50, J Prosser 2/20).
