Cricket Southern Bayside: Bentleigh topples South Caulfield

A brutally honest team meeting sparked Bentleigh to an upset win over ladder leaders South Caulfield in Cricket Southern Bayside.

Bentleigh opener Luke Mott has his eyes on the ball. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Bentleigh is back in the finals hunt after inflicting South Caulfield’s first loss of the CSB Championship season.

Englishman Greg Buckley peeled off a stylish half-century and young leg-spinner Om Satija took four wickets in the bonus-point victory at Princes Park in Caulfield.

It snapped a four-game losing streak for the Demons, who are now only two points behind fourth-placed Murrumbeena.

Batting first, Bentleigh put up 9-184 off its 40 overs.

Skipper Jarrad Dowling (21) and Luke Mott (23) got the Demons off to a good start with a 43-run opening partnership before Buckley played a splendid hand of 58 off 72 balls, with 6 fours and 1 six.

No 11 Jake La’Brooy chimed in with a valuable 17 not out at, putting on 24 with Satija (12no) for the last pole.

Lewis Mildenhall bowling for South Caulfield. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Lewis Mildenhall was the pick of South Caulfield’s bowlers, taking 4-38 off seven overs.

In reply, South Caulfield lost opener Billy Sanger in the second over, stumped by Tim Mullane from the bowling of off-spinner Buckley who, in somewhat of a surprise, took the new ball.

The punt paid off.

Dowling then removed the dangerous Brad Erasmus for 13 and South’s run chase never got going as Satija (4-35), Brendan Drew (2-23) and Mott (2-32) made key strikes.

South Caulfield was dismissed for 136 in the 35th over.

Dowling said he put it on his players to respond after a disappointing loss to Hampton last week when the Demons failed to chase down 136.

“I put the challenge to the boys after a really disappointing game last week,” he said.

“I addressed that pretty strongly…some home truths came out.”

Dowling said Bentleigh played with a newfound energy and believes his side can climb the ladder.

“We stepped up in the field and caught well,” he said.

“Everyone was relentless on the plan, hitting the lengths that we’ve talked about.

“Our best cricket is good enough, there’s no doubt. Yesterday was proof, to get a bonus point against the top team that has gone comfortably through their season so far, we know that our plans work.

“It’s just a matter of being good enough to execute it on the day.”

Mordialloc opener Chamindu Mathra staked his claim as the recruit of the season with a second century for the Bloodhounds.

Chamindu Mathra. Picture: Facebook

The former Sri Lankan first-class player blazed 104, with 10 fours and 1 six, to set up Mordialloc’s 27-run win over Bonbeach at Cannes Ave.

Mathra and AK Tyrone (34) put on 96 for the third wicket as the Bloodhounds sprinted to 8-192.

Mathra began the season with an unbeaten 116 against Hampton but, according to Mordialloc teammate Mat Campbell, Saturday’s ton was even better.

“This one was absolutely chanceless, he didn’t give them a sniff all day,” he said.

“He hit straight down the ground. When they dropped short he was pulling…he had an answer for everything they threw at him.”

In reply, Bonbeach got off to a flyer, with Englishman Jack Plom blazing 39 off 27 balls, with 5 fours and 1 six — a few days after getting off the plane.

The Sharks loomed as a winning chance at 3-145 but lost opener Sean Gales (54) and Dan Mueller (33) in quick succession and their run chase petered out at 7-165.

Mordialloc opening bowler Insaf Iqbal grabbed 3-28 with an impressive display of raw pace and control.

The Bloodhounds, who won last season’s Division 1 flag, have cemented second spot and are marching to the finals.

Murrumbeena skipper Brad Kruger took 3-24 and clipped 80 off 78 balls to anchor his side’s win over Beaumaris.

Set 147 for victory after Beauie opener Jon Leadbeater made 52, the Beena got there in the 34th over, with three wickets in hand.

A strong batting display saw Carnegie break through for its first win of the season.

Vinay Tripathi made 84 at the top of the order as the Neggie sprinted to 8-215 against Hampton.

Mayank Srivastava (38) and Ashwin Kotha (24) were also in the runs.

In reply, Hampton No 3 Jarrod Munday made an unbeaten 82 but his gallant effort wasn’t enough as the Seahorses were dismissed for 172.

Tatsat Brahmbhatt led the attack with 3-24 and Jyothiryaditya Raju Reddycharla took 3-32.

In Division 1, McKinnon star Wade King was at his dominant best, making 79 (off 68) and taking 5-23, in the Heat’s win over ladder leaders Mentone.

Brighton District No 4 Andrew Lasky continued his consistent season with 78 in his side’s win over St Brigid’s/St Louis. James Barker grabbed a season-best 4-47 for the Saints.

Ben Marsh starred with bat and ball as Parkdale United continued its march to the finals with a strong win over Clayton District.

Marsh made 72 not out off 82 and then snared 3-14 as the Pythons banked their fifth win. Sam Amon also impressed making 76 at the top of the order.

In Division 2, Aspendale’s Brett O’Hanlon equaled his best-ever bowling figures when he took 6-19 against Middle Park.

O’Hanlon is also averaging 56 with the bat this season.