Christmas comes early for Matthew Walker & Mentone - CSB Mens Round 6 Recap
The CSB Mens Competition heads into the Christmas break after 6 rounds (5 matches) of scintillating, impressive and competitive action to get season 2021/22 underway in style.
This past weekend, South Caulfield proved that they are in indeed the team to beat in Championship Division with a dominant performance over Beaumaris, whilst Mentone (Division 1) and Cheltenham (Division 2) both recorded victories to head into the break as the ladder leaders.
In Championship Division, Murrumbeena were able to upset Bentleigh, overtaking them on the ladder to go into the festive season just outside the top four.
Murrumbeena were first to bat, and with even contributors across the board, Beena were able to reach 169 off their 40 overs. Skipper brad Kruger top scored for the home side with 32 off 39, with Luke Mott led the bowlers, taking 4/42 off 8.
In response, Bentleigh struggled to build partnerships, losing clumps of wickets across their innings falling all out for 138 with three overs to spare. Troy Ryan was damaging with the ball in his first game in Murrumbeena colors this season, taking 4/29 off 8 and playing a leading role in his sides upset victory.
Bonbeach continued their strong start to the season with a relatively easy away win against Hampton.
Winning the toss and batting first, the seahorses were dominated by the Bonbeach bowling unit, dismissed for 114 in the 36th over. Tim Mulholland had his breakout game for the season, taking 4/29, while experienced bowlers Mueller (3/19 off 8) and Smith (2/13 off 8) made it difficult for the home side to get going.
The Sharks chase was not without its own hurdles, with the visitors falling to 2/0 as Smith and Bailey both dismissed without the team getting off the mark. After that, it was smooth sailing, with Sean Gales (32 off 75) and Akila Lakshan (33 off 65) steadying the ship and laying the foundations for their teams chase. Charlie Ross (4/14 off 8) tried his best to push the seahorses into a winning position, but unfortunately, they didn’t have much to defend.
Mordialloc closed out another week on the winners list, defeating Carnegie comfortably to enter Christmas well poised in third position.
Led by star recruit AK Tyrone (71), the Bloodhounds were able to post a more-than-defendable total of 201 for Carnegie to chase.
201 proved far too many for the home side, who crumbled all out for 128 in just the 30th over. A disappointing result for Carnegie, who head into the holidays without a win in season 2021/22. Equally as damaging with the ball, AK Tyrone picked up 4/38 off 7, well aided by teammate Insaf Iqbal (3/21 off 6).
South Caulfield again showed their class, easily accounting for Beaumaris in this year’s Grand Final rematch.
Batting first, Beaumaris lost the early wickets of Fryer (7) and Coates (10), immediately putting them on the back foot at 3/27. As expected, a fightback was mounted, led by Mutton (31), Hall (38) and Leadbetter (26), who make up an extremely reliable middle order that has proved itself on numerous occasions so far this season. The home side was able to reach 7/169 off their 40 overs, which is a defendable total to most.
South have been clinical so far this season, and Saturday was no exception, passing the score in the 38th over for the loss of only two wickets. Brad Erasmus (82 off 113) and Lewis Mildenhall (63* off 80) batted superbly against a first-class bowling lineup.
In Division 1, individual brilliance from a Mentone star sees the tigers enter the break in top spot, with Mckinnon hot on their tails.
Brighton District were witness to arguably the performance of the year, as Mentone’s Matthew Walker played destroyer with both bat and ball in his sides ten-wicket victory over the Dragons.
Batting first, Brighton District were able to overcome the loss of early wickets to post a defendable total of 9/172 off 40 overs. Lasky (58 off 90) and Gordan (40 off 29) top scored for the home side, while Matthew Walker was dominant with the ball, taking 5/21 off 8 overs.
Walkers’ day wasn’t finished there, as the Mentone star continued his red hot form across the innings break, blasting his way to 105* off 76 balls. Simon Cormie was more than happy to play second fiddle, contributing with a classy 60* off 81 balls, as the tigers passed the total in just 26 overs without the loss of a wicket. An incredibly dominant performance, highlighting the danger of playing this side when the stars align.
In the upset of the round, Parkdale United were able to build on their improving form to defeat Dingley at home.
Winning the toss and batting first, United found themselves in a spot of bother mid-way through their innings, stumbling to 5/54. The Pythons were able to turn their fortunes around, building two 50+ run lower order partnerships to reach a total of 9/190. Ryan Stringer (69) and Captain James Grande (32) were the main contributors.
In response, Dingley pushed the chase right to end, ultimately falling short, dismissed all out for 177 in the last over. Consistent wickets throughout the Dingoes innings proved costly, as the visitors were unable to get any breathing space from the hungry pythons, who seem to be gathering mid-season momentum.
Mckinnon were too strong for St Brigid’s St Louis, with the away win ensuring they head into the break just behind Mentone.
St Brigids St Louis have struggled to bat their 40 overs this season, and this round was no different, falling all out in the 36th over for 154. Jeremy Heys (48) and Trae Love-linay (27) fought hard, as the saints innings came crashing to a halt losing 4/4. Wade King continued his good season with the ball, picking up 3/14 off 7.
In response the Heat looked unphased, reaching the total four wickets down in the 35th over. King capped off an all-round performance with 38*, supported by Kulasena (31) and Weiss (30).
Clayton District secured the points against Parkdale in a close affair, as Parkdale’s season of near misses seems to continue into 2022.
Batting first, Parkdale were unable to apply the scoreboard pressure they would have liked, posting a total of 138, all out In the 39th over. James Seaary (23) was the only player to reach the 20’s.
Parkdale fought hard to defend their total, pushing Clayton District right to the edge by taking consistent wickets. Ultimately, District were able to escape a narrow defeat on the back of a match winning knock from Rasdev Singh (75 off 89). Clayton passed the total with plenty of time to spare, but nine wickets down.
Division 2
Bentleigh 10/155 (T Jeffrey 4/26) def by Middle Park 8/165 (T Himmati 72, CJ Seisun 3/9)
Chelsea 8/169 (SD Brahmanage 58*, S Hassen 38) def Carnegie 146 (L Middag 69, J Symons 4/18)
Cheltenham 5/122 (S Neeson 33*, T Lamb 3/38) def Bayside 9/105 (H Bean 25, L Wintle 3/14)
South Caulfield 4/256 (D Ford 89*, A Feltham 84) def Aspendale (S Hankin 4/38, A Welcome 3/32)
Batting Performances of the Week
Matthew Walker (Mentone) 105* vs Brighton District (Division 1)
David Fernandez (Bonbeach) 105 vs Hampton (Division 3)
Ian Hawkins (Brighton District) 96* vs Middle Park (Division 4)
Bowling Performances of the Week
Matthew Walker (Mentone) 5/21 vs Brighton District (Division 1)
Jonathan Whelan (Hampton) 4/10 vs Clayton District (One Day Division 2 – Saturday)
Oliver Wills (Beaumaris) 4/11 vs Hampton (Division 5)