STAFF WRITERS
CRICKET
TDCA
WILD weather threatened the TDCA on the Friday night leading into round 10, but due to all club curators and volunteers being well prepared all matches were able to start on time.
Gormandale v Yarram & District
THE match of the round was Gormandale and Yarram & District who were sitting in fifth and fourth on the ladder leading into Round 10 which meant it was a must win clash for both sides if they wanted to firm up a spot in the top fpur.
The toss didn’t go ahead as seems to be tradition between these two teams as Gormandale’s skipper Luke Henderson declared his intention to bat first while Yarram & District’s captain Ant Scott indicated he was going to bowl so it was decided then and there.
It looked to be good decision for Yarram early as Gormandale quickly lost wickets with conditions suiting bowlers early.
At 4/25, the Tigers were wobbling but the sun managed to poke its head out from behind the clouds just enough to settle the wicket down and stop the ball from swinging.
The fightback was on from then as James Jacobsen and Dylan Freitag put on a 54-run partnership before Jacobsen was out for 30.
Dylan Freitag was able to keep the score ticking over until Jarryd Swift caught his edge falling three runs short of a half century.
Adam Brady then steered the ship home making 15 important lower order runs which got the score up to 169 after 50 overs.
Jarryd Swift was devastating with the new ball as he took 4/35, Griffin Underwood and Korey Carrison both claimed two wickets each.
Yarram came out firing as they do but the wickets started to fall as well.
In a flurry of big shots Yarram found themselves in trouble with star batsmen Anthony Scott and Dylan Rash back in the sheds with the score on 38.
It didn’t improve much from there as the Pelicans batsmen continued to play their shots and soon the wickets were tumbling due to a Brady bowling masterclass on a wicket that perfectly suited him.
Only four Yarram batsmen were able to make double figures as the team was bowled out for 83 in just 20 overs.
Brady was the destroyer taking 5/7 while Nicholas Scammell was the next best taking 3/36.
This is the first time Gormandale has beaten Yarram in a limited overs match and with that monkey off the back Gormandale now have their destiny in their own hands coming into a potential finals berth.
Toongabbie v Imperials
AFTER the last match-up between these two clubs the Toongabbie and Imperials game didn’t disappoint as Toongabbie took the points in another close match.
Batting first Imperials took an opportunity to get a good opening partnership together with Keenan Hughes unavailable for the game.
Ryan Morley and Brad Sizeland put on a very good partnership of 74 before Morley was dismissed on 42.
Imperials then had the foundation required to get a good score and had solid contributors throughout the rest of their innings as Sizeland (35), Shaun Boyes (24) and Tuan Abdeen (21) all got important scores to take the score up to 7/166 after 50 overs.
Tom Shippen was the pick of the bowlers claiming 3/34 with the other wickets being shared around.
A frustrating misty rain then descended on Toongabbie with a couple delays early in Toongabbie’s innings causing some issues.
Overs were lost and a revised target under Duckworth Lewis was set with both teams in the
hunt for the win.
Shippen opening in the innings set the tone making a run a ball 50, putting on a 60-run partnership with Rob Wheildon who made 22 himself.
Gerard McIlroy and Kev Stoddart then got the Rams home winning by five wickets under Duckworth Lewis method.
Ross Williams, who has made the ball sing this season took another three wicket haul to now find himself clear on top of the bowling aggregate for the league.
This win was crucial for the Rams as it now gives them a good buffer between themselves at three to Gormandale in fourth spot.
Rovers v Ex Students
AT Duncan Cameron Park Ex Students lost the toss and were sent in by Rovers which proved to be costly.
The Sharks got to work and were 90 when they lost their first wicket.
It wasn’t until the score was on 189 when the second wicket fell as Lee Stockdale showed his class, raising the bat for a well compiled 121 from 160 balls.
Stockdale was the last wicket to fall going for quick runs at the end of the innings, having only hit one boundary in his first 50, he ended up with three sixes and seven fours in his 121 which is the third A Grade hundred for the season.
Matt Dyke (35) and Rick Battista (29) both batted well as Ex Students finished 3/229 and were in a commanding position.
Rovers stumbled early and were in big trouble at 3/5 which had them behind the pace.
Dougal Williams as he has done for the entire season then came in and batted well before rain ruined his chance to get a good score as he finished unbeaten on 34 when the game was called off.
With 21 overs bowled it meant that due to Duckworth Lewis, Ex Students won the match as Rovers needed to be 106 with four wickets down at that stage of the game.
This win sends Ex Students back to the top of the ladder and in a very good position for the rest of the season.
Rovers now need to bounce back quickly if they are to give themselves a chance at finals this season.
Important Round 11 of TDCA action
By TYRON BRAMWELL
Imperials v Yarram & District
THIS will be a game to keep a close eye on this weekend, as Yarram went down to Gormandale last round, getting bowled out for 83.
Imperials, last time they played Gormandale, won comfortably.
So, in hindsight, if you go based off that, Imperials should knock off Yarram.
However, Yarram have the fire power, and determination to bat long periods of time, and post big scores.
Thanks to the likes of Yarram batters, Daniel O’Keefe, Jarryd Swift and Anthony Scott, who can hit a very long ball.
However, this will be challenged by the batting of Ryan Morley for Imperials, and Leading wicket takers, Ross Williams, and Brad Sizeland who are both also followed by Yarram’s Jarryd Swift.
One to watch: Ross Williams is on fire with the ball at the moment and will be sure to take a handful of wickets.
Prediction: This match is too close to call and could go either way.
Rovers v Glengarry
THIS will be another close match against the rival clubs, as Rovers know they can bowl Glengarry out for a low score and chase it down comfortably.
Nathan Freitag will be sure to trouble Rovers batting, alongside Cam Graham, with their experience in fast bowling, and accuracy to hit the spot every ball.
But the likes of class batter Simon Duff for Rovers will be up for the fight and is sure to show some of the younger players how it’s done.
Rovers bowlers will need to get Freitag out early if they want to have a chance at winning the game.
As he leads the run scoring for Glengarry and is in good form at the moment.
The likes of Rovers leading wicket-takers Duff and Dougal Williams, will be looking to keep the star batsman quiet and ensure that he does not make a big score.
One to watch: Simon Duff, on his home wicket with the ball turning square, will be sure to take a handful of wickets.
Prediction: Rovers need to win this game to still have hope for finals. So this is a must win for Rovers, so they will be motivated and will take home the win on their home ground.
Ex Students v Toongabbie
LAST time these two matched up against each other, Ex Students took home a nine-wicket win against Toongabbie.
But this will be a good challenge for left-arm orthodox Matt Barry, from Toongabbie, to show the quality side of Ex Students what he has.
However, Ex Students are more than happy to face him, as they are comfortable around spin, facing Lee Stockdale, Michael Warne and Jimmy Pryde in the nets every week at training.
So, it should be a walk in the park for the Students batting line-up.
Toongabbie will really need to lift their batting, as only five of their players have scored more than 100 runs this season, with the highest being Kev Stoddart at 146 runs.
One to watch: Spinner Matt Barry, will be one to keep an eye on, as he gives the ball good airtime, and gets it above the eyeline of the batter making it hard to get away.
Prediction: Ex Students will walk away with the win
