STAFF WRITERS
CRICKET
TDCA
AFTER some wild storms threatened Round 8 on Friday, the TDCA was greeted with great conditions for cricket.
Even after wickets had to sit under covers all day on the eve of the matches, it’s evident that wickets and grounds are both turning into batting paradises, so let’s hope for plenty of runs being scored from here on out.
Gormandale v Rovers
IN a battle of the cellar dwellers, Gormandale pulled off a fantastic victory at home against Rovers in a match which ebbed and flowed right up until the winning runs were scored.
Rovers batted first and were shocked right out of the gate as Kade Marsh was dismissed for a duck off the first ball of the innings.
There is some conjecture as to what the official name of that specific duck is as some refer to it as a ruby while other call it a royal, either way it isn’t something any opening batsman wants accredited to them.
Ewan Williams then joined Tyler Pearce as the partnership put together a 40-run partnership, but Rovers quickly found themselves on 4/40 with Ewan Williams, Dougal Williams and Tyler Pearce all departing.
Darion Duncan and Conner Little then swung the momentum around putting on 60 to get the score going along and the tail also wagged as well for Rovers with three players getting into double figures from the bottom five, which is something that hasn’t happened this season.
After being in a precarious position Rovers ended up 171 all out from 45 overs with Duncan the standout with a well-made 45.
Luke Henderson and Adam Brady were very good for Gormandale, both claiming three wickets each while Dylan Freitag chimed in with a Richie Benaud (2/22).
Gormandale’s batting has been brittle at best this season and with a top score of 157, it was always going to be a tough run chase for the Tigers.
Things didn’t get easier when Paul Roberts was dismissed for three and then Matt Hibbs followed soon after for just two.
Staring doom in the face, Chris Lehner then joined Nat Campbell in the middle and went on to make an 80-run partnership, evening the ledger.
At 102, Campbell was run out for a hard-hitting 63 and Lehner was then stumped for 18, which swayed the game back into Rovers favour.
Gormandale’s middle order then got to work, taking their time and making sure they gave themselves every chance to win.
The game progressed slowly and eventually the Tigers were squeezed to needing 10 runs in 12 balls with two wickets in hand.
Looking for a hero, Adam Brady stood tall and with ice water in his veins managed to get the runs and put an exclamation mark on the game by hitting a four to win the match with seven balls to go.
Rovers bowlers did all they could and shared the wickets around with Dougal Williams the pick after claiming 2/29.
Toongabbie v Yarram & District
ANOTHER heart-racing match was between Toongabbie and Yarram & District at Roger Ries Oval.
Yarram won the toss and batted, but Daniel O’Keefe was dismissed for a duck which would have had the Pelicans worried.
Luckily Brett Pedlow was back in A Grade and together with Anthony Scott put on 94 for the second wicket until Scott was out for 54.
Pedlow was the next to fall for a well-made 53 himself, but then it was the same old story for Yarram who lost wickets consistently over the next 25 overs with only Jarryd Swift showing resistance with 34.
Yarram ended up all out in the 45th over for 170, but again would be ruing some chances and thinking they had left a few runs out on the field.
Keenan Hughes was brilliant for Toongabbie as he took 3/23, but it was Sam Moran who turned the match taking 3/47 picking up the big wickets of Scott and Dylan Rash.
Toongabbie also got off to a shaky start with Michael Dunn being dismissed for one.
Rob Wheildon and Jason Veneman batted well, but couldn’t get big scores and then Tim Dunn chimed in with a dogged 19.
James Chalmers then strutted in to bat at five after demanding to bat higher in the second part of the season after all the hype about him from before Christmas.
It wasn’t to be though as he could only muster five, but his departure brought in Kev Stoddart, who turned the match the way of Toongabbie once more and was able to see his team home smashing a well-made 59 not out from 62 balls which included 10 fours.
Both Scott and Jarryd Swift took two wickets for the Pelicans but the lack of penetration through the middle overs was what cost them the match.
Imperials v Glengarry
IN the final match of round, Glengarry took on Imperials at Catterick Crescent with Glengarry winning the toss and batting first.
Frank Marks didn’t get a start which brought in Nat Freitag who batted well with Al Jenkin until he was dismissed for 30.
This then saw Sam Marks and Hamish Busk come and go with the score on 4/65 as the Magpie batsmen struggled with the slower wicket Catterick produces.
This brought Paul Henry to the crease and together with Freitag put on a 120-run partnership until Freitag fell just eight runs short of making back-to-back hundreds this season.Henry then guided the score to be 5/195 after 50 overs, making 40 not out in the process.
Brad Sizeland and Ross Williams were again brilliant for Imperials both taking two wickets each.
This was to be a farewell to a champion as Brett Chapman was playing his last match for Imperials before moving interstate and it wasn’t long before he was striding to the middle as Brad Sizeland was bog castled by Cam Graham for eight.
Chapman then threw caution to the wind and in partnership with captain Ryan Morley put on 77 with Chapman making 55 of them.
Chapman’s innings included five fours and two sixes as he reminded everyone just how good a player he is and has been for Imperials.
Morley then fell soon after and Imperials then fell quickly, ending up all out for 136 from 37.3 overs.
Glengarry are a well-rounded team and again had multiple wicket-takers with the best being Al Jenkin, who took 3/34. Frank Marks and Hamish Busk each took two as well with Freitag, Graham and Mayberry taking the other three.
ROUND 9 PREVIEW
ROVERS will take on Imperials in the match to watch for the round.
Last time they met Imperials landed a massive upset win which hurt the young Rovers side a lot and did not get their season off to the start they wanted.
Rovers however have improved every week, while only having one win on the board, they are having very close matches as they post half decent scores to defend, unlike previous seasons.
But at the end of the day, it comes down to experience and how well the young side can handle the pressure while Imperials have two wins under their belt, beating Gormandale as well as Rovers.
Rovers will not go down without a fight and will definitely want to get revenge on Imperials, to keep their finals hopes alive.
Simon Duff will also be playing his 200th game for Rovers, so there is no doubt Rovers will want to make this one to remember.
One to watch: Darion Duncan, an up and coming all-rounder for Rovers, who is having some success with both bat and ball.
Prediction: Rovers will get over the line with the home ground advantage and pure passion to win the game, a result which will keep their finals hopes alive.
Ex Students v Glengarry
LAST time Ex Students and Glengarry met, Glengarry got over the line comfortably.
This was thanks to some incredible batting by Frank Marks hitting 75 and Hamish Busk making 47 as well as a great all-round bowling performance from Glengarry, as Cam Graham, Hamish Busk, and Sam Marks all picked up two wickets, while captain Nat Freitag picked up 3/15 off seven overs.
Freitag is in great form at the moment, coming just eight runs away from back-to-back centuries.
Ex Students, however, have not played a game since December 18 after their first match was abandoned after Christmas and the bye last round.
They will be wanting to secure the win this week, and take top position on the ladder, in order to set themselves up for finals, as top position on the ladder is the best spot to be.
No batter for Ex Students has scored more than 100 runs except captain Lee Stockdale.
So, Ex Students will need to lift their batting game if they are going to have a chance at winning this weekend.
One to watch: Nat Freitag is in great form with the bat, after scoring 218 runs the past two weeks with an average of 109.
Prediction: Glengarry, in sensational form at the moment will get over the line and beat Ex Students for the second time this season.
Gormandale v Toongabbie
GORMANDALE, coming off their first win of the season against Rovers, will be ready and raring for the weekend.
Nat Campbell helped Gormandale to get over the line last week, scoring a 63, while Adam Brady and Luke Henderson both picked up three wickets.
Toongabbie is also coming off a great win over Yarram, chasing 170 six wickets down.
Kevin Stoddart coming off 59 not out, will be feeling confident with bat in hand, as he is someone who can hit a very long ball without using much power at all.
Jason Veneman has only played three matches for the season, with one 50 and one good start.
This week would be the best opportunity for him to score some runs against the bowling side of Gormandale.
Left-arm quick Keenan Hughes loves to bowl in uncomfortable areas around the chest and is sure to make someone hurt as Gormandale struggle against quick bowling.
One to watch: Captain Keenan Hughes will trouble Gormandale and should clean up their top order.
Prediction: Gormandale have the home ground advantage, however, Toongabbie will prove too strong and get the win.
Yarram and District have the bye.
