DDCA Turf 1: Hallam Kalora Park dismisses Narre Warren for 19

Narre coach Brett Lewis questioned the standard of the pitch after his team was sent in – and shot out for 19 – at Frawley Rd.

Hallam captain Jordan Hammond ran through Narre Warren.

It’s been a rugged season for Narre Warren in its return to Turf 1 of the Dandenong District Cricket Association.

The Magpies have failed to win a match, but Saturday’s defeat to Hallam Kalora Park was something else.

They were dismissed for 19 in 19.2 overs at Frawley Rd Reserve – and no one could remember such a small total in the top section of the DDCA.

Five batsmen failed to score.

Hawks captain Jordan Hammond captured 5-8 off 10 overs, with six maidens.

There were crumbs for Will Whyte (2-9) and Udara Hettige (2-1)

Narre Warren coach Brett Lewis said the wicket was soft and played a part in his team’s capitulation.

“It wasn’t a Turf 1 standard pitch, in my opinion,’’ Lewis, the former head coach of Premier club Casey South Melbourne, said.

Narre was sent in.

In the first over of the innings Hammond struck Daniel Orchard on the gloves and then twice on the body with balls that jumped at him.

Later Vihanga Gamage copped a lifter from Hammond that he could only fend to a catcher.

But there were some reckless shots from Narre – three players were bowled and another was LBW – and a run-out too.

No 3 James Elliott’s innings of eight stood as the top score.

And Blake Westra (4 off 22 balls) was the only batsman to last more than 20 balls.

“Really disappointed with the performance, but I’d seriously question if it was a Turf 1-rated pitch though,’’ Lewis said.

“But I said to our players after the game, you’ve got to be able to dig in and grind and play straight. It takes a bit of experience to bat on a deck like that, especially when you’ve got a bowler of Jordie’s ilk. He bowled beautifully.’’

Hallam Kalora Park coach Richie Hammond said there was “a bit in it early’’ and the young Narre team failed to come to terms with it.

“It was a one-day wicket. Both teams had to play on it. No one is going to make a wicket to be dangerous if you’re going to bat on it yourself.

“Our guys like to chase at Hallam because they think if there’s ever anything in it, it’s in the first hour.

“I spoke to a few of their young boys. I just said to them, ‘Hey guys, you’ve got to dig in on a pitch like this, dig in because it will get easier’.’’

He said Jordan Hammond bowled “really well’’ and “it was the first time I’d seen him wind up for a while’’.

The win lifted Hallam Kalora Park back into the top four, at the expense of Narre South, which fell to Berwick.

The Bears put up 7-220 and knocked over the Lions for 140 inside 39 overs, Jarrod Goodes superb with 4-36 off 9.3 overs.

Youngster Vineth Jayasuriya Arachchige’s even 50 was the highlight of the Narre South innings.

In the absence of Matt Chasemore and Brodie Emmett, class act Damith Mapa Ralalage led the Berwick batting with 59 from the No 4 slot, seeing his team past 200.

At Park Oval, runs flowed like Dandenong Creek as Buckley Ridges ran down North Dandenong’s 7-254, coming in with 4-260.

As a batting unit the Bucks answered North Dandy No 3 Syed Mehmood’s 101 not out and Austin Heldt’s even 50.

Jayson Hobbs scored 75 not out for the Bucks and former international Mahela Udawatte crossed the 500-run mark with his knock of 48.

Zafar Sheikh (45), Slick Davies (29no) and openers Josh Holden (26) and Ben Wright (20) did their bit in a controlled run chase.

Former Premier pair Akshat Buch and Blade Baxter both grabbed four wickets as Springvale South (7-222) had its way with St Mary’s (131) at Alex Nelson Reserve.

Spinner Buch (4-37 off 10 overs) and quickie Baxter (4-15 off 7.4) swept through the visitors, with the notable exception of Nanayakkarawasam Kalumshehara, who blasted 3 sixes and 7 fours in his 66-ball innings of 76.

Opener Ryan Quirk’s 56 headed a steady South batting card.

* On Sunday Narre South won its catch-up game against St Mary’s to climb back into the top four and leave Hallam Kalora Park fifth.

They blitzed 3-143 in 20 overs – Harsha De Silva cracked a 31-ball 52 not out – in reply to the Saints’ 139.

Tim Phillips had a day out with the ball, grabbing 5-32 off 10.2 overs.

Narre South will stay fourth if it defeats St Mary’s again in the final round.