By David Nagel
Pakenham Upper/Toomuc (7/231) is firmly entrenched in second place on the CCCA District Division ladder after a superb century from Syed Akbar Shah (101 not out) led the Yabbies to a three-wicket win over Carlisle Park (192).
Resuming at 3/40, overnight batters Pramod Rathnayake (24) and Adam Tucker (24) had the Yabbies in a strong position at 3/85; but when both were bowled by Adam Hassan (3/88) the visitors were in trouble…still requiring 86 runs with their bottom six left to bat.
But up stepped Shah, who backed up his round six century against Lang Lang with another scintillating knock.
This one was not as devastating or as brutal as his century off 12 overs against the Swamp Tigers, which included 10 sixes; but was certainly more important in the context of the match.
Without it…the Yabbies simply don’t win and don’t get to enjoy the second-best view in the house!
Shah crunched 14 fours and one six from his 82 balls at the crease and dominated stands of 51 with Brian Kulasena (16) and 21 with Raja Sadiq (8) to put the Yabbies in a winning position.
There was only one thing left to do; crown a back-to-back centurion, which was enjoyed by John Langley (16 not out) from 22 yards away.
Shah has now hit 22 fours and 11 sixes in his last two innings, which equates to 154 runs in boundaries.
The Yabbies, who have now won four on the trot, host sixth-placed Emerald this Saturday.
Hassan was the only bowler to have any real impact for the Vikings, who host Cranbourne Meadows in a crunch match for both clubs in round eight one-day action.
And Emerald (216) is celebrating its first ‘proper’ victory of the season after defending well on day two against Lang Lang (148).
The Bombers defeated Melbourne Sixers via forfeit in round three, and had a tie with Cranbourne Meadows in round two, but this is their first taste of ‘really’ winning a game of cricket.
The win was set up by Jack Raukola (5/42), who took the only wicket to fall on day one and backed it up with a masterful performance on day two.
Raukola once again made early inroads, and then turned the game the Bombers’ way with the ley dismissal of Tim Miller (66).
Bombers’ veteran; 41-year-old Clinton Marsh (3/51), then poked and prodded his way through the Swamp Tigers mid-to-lower order before Raukola finished off the job.
Hunter Wardale (2/44) also had an impact for the Bombers, who currently sit sixth on the ladder but just two points outside the top four.
Things don’t get any easier for Lang Lang; who host ladder leaders Officer this Saturday.
Results R7: NNG/Maryknoll 121 def Cranbourne Meadows 55, Lang Lang 148 def by Emerald 216, Officer 3/137d and 1/35 def Melbourne Sixers 107 and 63, Carlisle Park 192 def by Pakenham Upper/Toomuc 7/231.
Ladder: Officer 88, PUT 62, Cranbourne Meadows 54, NNG/Maryknoll 44, Carlisle Park 42, Emerald 42, Lang Lang 30, Melbourne Sixers 6.
