West Torrens captain Daniel Drew makes 153 to lead Eagles to victory over East Torrens
A career-high knock from a Bradman Medallist has provided a hiccup to East Torrens’ finals plans, while Kensington dismissed any doubts about its top-four place with a big grade cricket victory on Saturday.
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Mistakes become more costly this time of year and East Torrens felt the effects on Saturday in a grade cricket result that the Reds could come to rue.
Plus, outright victories for two contenders and more in this week’s Messenger match reports.
EAST TORRENS 8/352dec WEST TORRENS 7/355
A career-high 153 from West Torrens skipper Daniel Drew had it all in Saturday’s gripping home grade cricket clash against East Torrens, as his side chased 352 for a final-over win.
Drew, who faced 217 balls and occupied the crease for almost five hours, blasted 13 boundaries and a six to help his side to 7/355.
The captain received excellent support from teammates Josh Dascombe and Patrick Fisher, who both made 40 and, before that, opener Bailey Capel who also hit 40 with six boundaries.
Drew was dismissed when the score was 323, but Fisher, Spencer Johnson (17 not out) and Murphy Short led the Eagles home.
Drew said it was a thrill to be a part of the side’s successful run chase.
“We went out to bat with the idea of nothing to lose,” Drew said.
“It was about ticking off every 40 or 50 and then having partnerships and spending time in the middle.
“Everyone chipped in and for us who haven’t won many games it was great against a very good team.
“To chase 350 was a good result.
“I don’t think I have batted that long before and was pretty tired at the end.’’
Meanwhile, it was Dascombe’s last game for the Eagles with the allrounder set to move to the United States for work.
His 22 wickets leads West Torrens this season.
For East Torrens, the result is a significant blow to its chances of a top-two finish and home semi-final.
The Reds were also pulled in closer by the group of sides chasing the top four, but should have enough points in the bank to hold them off.
KENSINGTON 302 NORTHERN DISTRICTS 8/77dec & 165
An outstanding return from Kensington’s bowlers helped set up an outright victory against Northern District at Salisbury Oval.
Resuming the day on 2/8 the Jets declared on 8/77 in pursuit of the Browns’ 302 and then were dismissed for 165 in their second dig after following on.
The Browns picked up 30 points from the day, virtually securing their place for the finals and keeping alive a chance for a home final.
Browns coach Russell Thompson said the outright was a bonus.
“To hang in there on what we thought was a flat pitch and get the extra points was very good,” Thompson said.
“We batted well on the first day but yesterday (Saturday) everyone chipped in with the ball. “We would like a home semi-final, but we have to keep winning.’’
Captain Elliot Opie took 3/22 in the first innings and two wickets in the second dig with his first two balls.
Josh Doyle also snared four wickets, while Tom Mackenzie and Jake Brown chipped in with two wickets each.
TEA TREE GULLY 334 PORT ADELAIDE 178 & 4/129
Another starring performance by Adam Somerfield has led Tea Tree Gully to a 156-run belting of Port Adelaide at Pertaringa Oval.
Somerfield sent down more than 30 overs and claimed 5/54 to complement 98 runs with the bat on day one in a 210-run stand with captain/coach Matt Weaver.
The Bulls posted 334 in their first dig before Somerfield went to task on the Magpies batsmen on day two to have them all out for 178.
Port reached 4/129 and denied TTG the outright in its second dig through a stylish unbeaten 39 from Stuart Coles.
Somerfield, who also took 3/53 in the second innings, has flourished as the Bulls’ No. 1 bowler this summer with 31 wickets at 18 to be the competitions’ outright leader.
He said he embraced the challenge of being the Bulls’ spearhead.
“I haven’t done anything different this year,” Somerfield said.
“We’ve lost a lot of players … (leading the wicket-takers) is more of an opportunity thing. I embrace that.”
GLENELG 229 & 8/99 WOODVILLE 6/323dec
Glenelg’s disappointing season was put to the test last Saturday when it was forced to dig deep to stave off an outright loss at home against Woodville.
Despite the gritty efforts of the Seahorses’ tail, the team bowed out of the race for the major round when it conceded first-innings points to the Peckers.
Batting first, Glenelg made 229 as Woodville took control of the match early on day two. Opener Conor McInerney (78) and No. 3 Tom Andrews (128) combined for a second-wicket stand of 158 to put the match out of the Seahorses’ reach.
Woodville then cruised to victory, declaring at 6/323.
In the second dig, the hosts looked in reasonable shape at 1/52.
But Glenelg was in big trouble from there as it fought hard to draw the match when it edged to 8/99 after 39.2 overs.
Opener Danny Irvine (27) and No. 3 Ben Bullimore (19) provided the main scores for the team.
Glenelg coach Grant Francis said it was a tough day.
“Week one we had lots of starts which the boys couldn’t convert,” Francis said.
“We needed a good start early on day two, but that didn’t happen as Tom (Andrews) and Conor (McInerney) batted really well.
“Our bowling was too inconsistent and was similar to out first innings when we batted.
“A couple of decisions didn’t go our way, which didn’t help.
“But the reality is we can’t make finals now.
“We’ve shown our best is very good and we have beaten Adelaide.”
Glenelg is eighth on the ladder and plays finals-bound Kensington away this Saturday. Adelaide, which had the bye, is away to Adelaide University.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT 265 STURT 123 & 1/145
Southern District’s outstanding bowling played a big part in the team’s first-innings win against Sturt at Bice Oval.
Defending 265 after some late-order heroics from Sunam Gautam (51), Huw Stone (46), Lewis Hatchett (32 not out) and Matthew Sugg (31) after the team was 6/93, the Stingrays hit back to skittle Sturt for 123.
Earlier, the visitors looked ominous at 2/110 with skipper Brad Davis and Tom Kelly at the crease.
But when Kelly was dismissed for 20 off the bowling of Ben Twohig the Sturt batsmen fell away, losing 8/13.
Desperate for maximum points, Southern declared at 0/0 in its second innings, setting the Blues 143 for victory in 23 overs
Jacob Dick then blasted an unbeaten 104, while Davis made 40 not out as the Blues finished with 1/145 to snare the outright and 10 points from the game as opposed to the Stingrays’ 20 for the first innings win.
Stingrays’ skipper Josh Barrett said the team’s lower-order batsmen did a great job with the bat, as did the bowlers.
“We have been outstanding with the ball all year,” Barrett said.
“We knew if we could get Davis we could get the rest and that’s what happened.
“And our bowlers getting those late runs helped a lot.
“We play Port Adelaide so we’ll be going out again for a win.”
The Stingrays are fifth on 110 points but must win both games to oust either Kensington or East Torrens, which are third and fourth on the ladder.
PROSPECT 62 & 110 ADELAIDE UNI 2/136dec & 0/40
Adelaide University strengthened its claim for a top-two spot with an outright victory over bottom side Prospect.
The Blacks set up the big win on day one by skittling Prospect for 62 and then cruising to 2/136dec.
They then overwhelmed the Pirates on day two at Prospect Oval, removing them for 110 in the second dig and adding 40 of their own to round off the match.
Uni allrounder Sam Kerber snared 3/2 off just seven overs and Ben Ellis impressed with 4/23 in the second innings.
Ross Richardson enjoyed a handy double with 34 and 48 for the Pirates.
WOMEN’S WRAP
Amanda-Jade Wellington did it with the bat, the ball and in both the women’s and men’s competitions on the weekend.
The leg-spinner snared 2/41 playing for Port Adelaide’s men’s B grade on Saturday before starring for West Torrens’ women on Sunday.
Taking on Kensington at Parkinson Oval, Wellington took 5/18 from seven overs to help the Eagles roll the Browns for 118.
She then went to work with the bat smashing 76 from 46 balls as the visitors reached 2/119 after just 18 overs.
Meanwhile, Southern District appears doomed to miss the finals after it lost to Sturt in their clash at Bice Oval.
Batting first, the Stingrays had no answer for Blues bowlers Brooke Harris (6/14) and Alex (4/14) as they made 62 from 28.3 overs, while Sturt cruised to 3/63 in 15.1 overs.
Annie O’Neil topscored with 25 from 26 balls.
With four rounds remaining top-placed West Torrens leads Northern Districts, Sturt and Kensington on the ladder. Southern, fifth, is 34 points back from the Browns.
THIS WEEK
■ Kensington v Glenelg – Parkinson Oval
■ Port Adelaide v Southern District – Port Reserve
■ Adelaide University v Adelaide – University Oval
■ East Torrens v Prospect – Campbelltown Memorial Oval
■ Woodville v Tea Tree Gully – Woodville Oval
■ Sturt v West Torrens – Price Memorial Oval
■ Northern Districts – bye