DDCA Turf 1: Narre South claims ‘massive win’ over Springvale South

A hard-hit half-century from recruit Harsha De Silva lifted Narre South to a superb win over the Bloods at Strathaird Reserve.

Kyle Hardy led the Lions to a rousing win over the Bloods.

South won, but not the South most people were expecting to win.

Narre South claimed a big scalp in DDCA Turf 1 on Saturday when it chased down Springvale South’s 7-192 at Strathaird Reserve.

The Lions came in with 4-196 in the 41st over after a dashing innings from recruit Harsha De Silva, who blitzed 82 off 86 deliveries, including 10 fours and 2 sixes.

The unorthodox left-hander took on the short bowling of former Victorian quickie Jayde Herrick early in his innings, combining with captain Kyle Hardy (27) to get the home team off to a rousing start.

De Silva joined Narre South this season from West Coburg in the VTCA.

Star Kaushalya Weeraratne caught his mood, weighing in with 52 not out off 42 balls, three of which he put over the fence. He also struck four boundaries.

Wookey Medal star Morteza Ali contributed 21 not out as the hosts completed what Hardy called a “massive win’’.

“Since I’ve been at Narre South we’ve only beaten them (the Bloods) once and that was when I was 15. To get a win over a top-four team like that will hold us in good stead,’’ Hardy said.

He said of De Silva: “He took it the bowlers from the very get-go and we got off to a flyer. He hits the ball very hard.’’

Hardy said the conditions were good and he chose to bowl to take advantage of a wicket that could be tough to negotiate early but flattened out to become excellent for batting.

Tim Phillips produced crackers to dismiss Springy South opener Mitch Forsyth for a duck and ace recruit Jordan Wyatt for 12, and went on to figures of 4-53 off 12 overs.

Opener Ryan Quirk crafted 73 off 123 balls, with 4 fours and 2 sixes, and Jackson Sketcher (55 off 88) hit his second half-century of the young season.

Hardy was appointed captain for this season after previously doing it when he was a young cricketer.

“I was 20 or 21 and I don’t think I was ready for it,’’ he said.

“But I’m feeling good now. It’s been a good experience so far. The club’s going well. There are a heap of juniors coming through and there’s a good vibe going on.’’

Buckley Ridges’s former Sri Lankan Test batsman Mahela Udawatte hit a sparkling 81 off 84 balls to help his new team defeat reigning premier Hallam Kalora Park.

Udawatte drilled 11 boundaries at the Frawley Rd ground as the visitors reached 5-181 in reply to 7-178.

They got there with three balls to spare, the experience of Slick Davies (22no) and Troy Aust (13no) apparent in the late overs.

Two booming sixes from Davies made the task easier.

Leigh Booth (58 off 106 balls, with 6 fours and 1 six) and Matt Cox (55 off 78, with 4 fours) gave the Hawks something to defend.

Stalwart Matt Goodwright kept things tight with 3-53 off 12 overs for the Bucks.

North Dandenong made short work of Narre Warren, zipping to 2-88 off 15.3 overs after knocking over the Magpies for 86.

Sohail Sadiq, Javed Khan, Muharjithan Thedchanamoorthy and Hussain Shafahi all took two cheap wickets for North as Narre crumbled inside 32 overs after deciding to bat.

Zach Allen’s 27 headed a sorry Narre scorecard.

Redwan Laghmani (32no) took North Dandenong through after sharing an opening partnership of 76 with Syed Mehmood (44).

As it did against North Dandy, Berwick swept past St Mary’s.

Last week it knocked over North for 101 and got the runs without the loss of a wicket.

On Saturday it rounded up the Saints for 102 and replied with 3-103.

There were four more wickets for quickie Andrew Perrin and three for James Wilcock.