Sub-District cricket: recruit Daniel Forbes closing in on 500 runs for Caulfield
Peter Cassidy, Adam Bull and Daniel Forbes played starring roles in their team’s victories in the VSDCA south-west section. And Ryan Pearson was in the lights too.
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The runs keep coming for Daniel Forbes, and at a cracking clip too.
The Caulfield recruit has made an easy transition to the VSDCA and his innings of 91 against Altona on Saturday took him to the shadows of 500 runs.
He leads the south-west aggregate with 494 at almost 55, with a strike rate of 100.6 that reflects his ability to score in all parts of the ground.
Consistency has been his calling card at Caulfield: he missed out against Oakleigh in the first game after Christmas, but his other scores are 64, 32, 47, 113, 66, 35, 45 and 91.
His innings on Saturday came off 78 balls, included 3 sixes and 6 fours, and featured a century stand (127) with Johnathon Aikins (46). Add in 62 not out off 55 balls from the great Graeme Rummans and Caulfield’s 5-253 was way too many for Altona. It was bowled out for 148.
“He’s flying,’’ Caulfield captain Jacob Thorne said of former St Kilda Premier player and Hampton (Cricket Southern Bayside) skipper Forbes.
“Hits them hard, scores quickly … it gives the other blokes the option of not having to go as hard when you’ve got him going at a run a ball.’’
Thorne said he was expecting a “fair bit’’ from Forbes and wasn’t surprised by his performances.
They’ve helped Caulfield to familiar territory – the top of the ladder – with eights wins and one loss, to its great rival, Oakleigh.
With 24 wickets at 9.8 and 279 runs at 55.8, Thorne is having another excellent season.
Ryan Pearson’s numbers are similar for Oakleigh.
He was man of the match for the Oaks on Saturday as they saw off competition newcomer Spotswood, making 77 from the opening slot and taking 3-34 off 7.4 overs.
Pearson is up to 368 runs and 20 wickets.
With Andrew Splatt (53), Blake Pearson (57) and captain Brendan McGuinness (35) also contributing the Oaks put up 6-253 and then knocked over the visitors for 169.
“He’s having an outstanding year. The shorter format really suits his game,’’ McGuinness said of Ryan Pearson.
“We’ve made a few changes to our batting order and with him at the top he’s most comfortable and it’s paying dividends.’’
Matt Stamps took another two wickets and is more than holding his own in the First XI.
“He’s done a great job for us,’’ McGuinness noted. “I think it’s about a decade in between First XI games for him. He made his debut all those years ago and has been a pretty prominent figure in the lower grades. I guess with ‘Jex’ (Mick Splatt) retiring the opportunity presented itself and he worked hard in the pre-season and got himself fit, bowling-fit and match-fit, and he’s playing a good role for us.’’
As for Spotswood, McGuinness said it had done an excellent job since coming into Subbies and it was “definitely a contender’’.
“They’ve got the right mix of talent and youth,’’ he said. “I think they’ve got what it takes. They’ll be a real threat come March.’’ He was most impressed by its batting.
Eighteen-year-old Charles Dowling and Peter Cassidy assumed starring roles as Brighton had a crucial win over Malvern.
It put the Tonners fifth and left the Roosters nine points away from the top six.
Malvern was 2-114 and on target for a tall total but it was bowled out for 181 in the 41st over, with Cassidy capturing 6-31 off nine overs.
His haul included class act Tom Rickarby (69).
The Tonners lost Rob Salerni and Ricky Damiano early in the chase but young Dowling, from Melbourne Grammar, made 64 (7 fours, 2 sixes) and Cassidy (45). They overhauled the target six wickets down and with two overs to spare.
“He’s a quality young cricketer,’’ Damiano said of Dowling.
Ormond opener Adam Bull hit his second century of the season, 139 not out, as the Monders (6-218) had their way with Hoppers Crossing (191).
The right-hander faced 145 balls and laced 12 fours and 2 sixes.
Hoppers crashed to 3-8 in the reply but Brett Smith’s whirlwind 88 – off only 54 balls – made it interesting. He smoked 5 sixes and 4 fours and the Monders were relieved when he was caught off the bowling of coach Murray Ring (2-37). Champion Rodney Bird had 3-14 off nine overs, five of them maidens.
Port Melbourne (7-182) collected its third win over the season, at the expense of Moorabbin (101); Werribee (207) was too strong for Taylors Lakes (142), opening bowler Jonathon Burton superb with 4-28 off nine overs; Williamstown (4-144) ran down Melton’s 8-143; and Elsternwick (8-211) held out Yarraville (8-206).
Opener Aidan Salvado took the Villes to the brink of victory before being the ninth batsman out, for 81.
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