By Justin Schwarze
Crucial results were logged across the board on day two of the lower grades of the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association with a tie in E grade between Carlisle Park and Cardinia the highlight.
But first, in A Grade, Pakenham’s fantastic run chase was capped off by Mitch Varty’s unbeaten ton and 82 from Jackson Luka, comfortably guiding the Lions past Cranbourne Meadows.
Ryan Little’s stellar season continued as he took 6/46 off his 24 overs as Cardinia narrowly fended off Devon Meadows’ pursuit, getting the victory by just eight runs.
Clyde was unable to keep the massive score of 330 set by Kooweerup in sight, going down by 169 runs with Farhan Hussain claiming three wickets for the Demons.
Shane Somers ripped through the Merinda Park batting order, bowling 6/26 as Tooradin walked away as 44 run victors.
Pakenham Upper Toomuc caused a demolition job on Officer in B Grade, successfully defending their first innings score of 93.
Raja Ahmed took four scalps and Jonathan Rewell claimed three to hold the Bullants to just 85.
A half century from Josh Bloor and strong contributions from Sam Webster, Jackson Alder and Anthony Ponweera lifted Pakenham past first-place Nar Nar Goon-Maryknoll.
Emerald was not taking any chances against Upper Beaconsfield with Ian Crosher posting 33 not out off 208 deliveries; slowly but surely getting the Bombers over the line.
Luke Townsend’s knock of 42 was enough for Tooradin to knock off Clyde.
In C Grade, Kerala Strikers were valiant in their near impossible chase of 380 against Kooweerup, as the hosts were led by a brilliant 115 from Jimmy Augustine but ultimately fell short, finishing at 9/302.
Carlisle Park attempted to go for the outright result against Cardinia, but settled for the one wicket victory.
After the Bulls only managed 123 in the first innings, the Vikings responded by posting 9/224 before declaring, with Rama Ramadoss notching a half ton in the process.
Lachie Boswell finished with six wickets in defeat.
Adam White ensured Officer would defend their total of 203, taking three poles in a 32-run victory over Devon Meadows.
Melbourne Sixers rose to the occasion against Merinda Park as Malith Kanahara and Wathsara Daluwatta brought up half centuries.
This boosted Melbourne Sixers to reach their target of 277, finishing at 5/284.
In D Grade action, Mark Allot’s 91 for Pakenham Upper Toomuc was enough for them to declare at 4/168 with an outright victory against Kooweerup on the cards.
The Demons went into bat again and held off three dismissals from Alfie Howat, resulting in a standard victory for the Yabbies.
Despite Davis Joseph bringing up 68 and Jonathan Sumil and Riju Rajendran contributing 40s, Kerala Strikers fell short in their pursuit of 315 set by Officer.
Nar Nar Goon Markynoll got a seven wicket win against Merinda Park as Nick Mueller and Daniel Rodger both posted 50s, leading the Marygoons.
A clean and even bowling performance from top of the table Pakenham steered them to an 11-run victory against Emerald.
E Grade was headlined by an improbable result, as a tie between Carlisle Park and Cardinia means the sides will share the points.
With the target set by Cardinia being 166, the hosts were nine down for the same score when Eshan Khalid was caught off the bowling of Darren Jameson.
Jameson took four crucial wickets in the contest, and was backed up tremendously by Ray Perkins who claimed three scalps of his own.
A slow 50 off 125 balls from Luke Yeates helped Pakenham Upper Toomuc successfully chase down 157 from Devon Meadows.
Clyde couldn’t manage the monstrous score of 9/312 set by Pakenham, being bowled out for 254 with Hirenkumar Joshi taking four poles.
A classy 72 from Sohan Weerawardhane pushed Melbourne Sixers past Officer, reaching the required 194 after 48 overs.
CCCA LOWER GRADES – 50S AND THREE FA’S
Batting
Jimmy Augustine Kerala Strikers C 115
Mitchell Varty Pakenham A 103*
Mark Allott PUT D 91
Jackson Luka Pakenham A 82
Sohan Weerawardhane Melbourne Sixers E 72
Davis Joseph Kerala Strikers D 68
Malith Kanahara Melbourne Sixers C 67*
Daniel Rodger NNG/Maryknoll D 67*
Chris Jones Clyde E 64
Rama Ramadoss Carlisle Park C 58
Pratham Patel Clyde A 56
Wathsara Daluwatta Melbourne Sixers C 56
Joshua Bloor Pakenham B 53
Cody Mannix Tooradin A 52*
Nick Mueller NNG/Maryknoll D 50
Luke Yeates PUT E 50
Bowling
Shane Somers Tooradin A 6/26
Ryan Little Cardinia A 6/46
Lachlan Boswell Cardinia C 6/56
Darren Jameson Cardinia E 4/4
Ryon Tocknell NNG/Maryknoll D 4/13
Raja Ahmed PUT B 4/15
Hirenkumar Joshi Pakenham E 4/69
Alfie Howat PUT D 3/12
Farhan Hussain Kooweerup A 3/18
Craig Chapman Upper Beaconsfield B 3/20
Adam White Officer C 3/29
Jonathon Rewell PUT B 3/31
Hiren Patel PUT One-Day 3/32
Peter Zauner Devon Meadows E 3/45
Josh Beddows Officer D 3/49
Ray Perkins Cardinia E 3/50
Brett Oldfield Pakenham E 3/87
