Bonbeach beats Carnegie to make its move up the CSB ladder

While other games were washed out, Bonbeach secured a vital win on Saturday to boost its finals bid in Cricket Southern Bayside.

Bonbeach captain Tom Smith blasted four sixes on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Bonbeach was singing in the rain on Saturday after securing a “bonus” win over Carnegie in Cricket Southern Bayside.

With all other Championship Division games washed out, the Sharks took the opportunity to kickstart their finals bid.

In winning, Bonbeach jumped ahead of Carnegie on the ladder.

“That puts us just into the four now which is obviously ideal,’’ Bonbeach skipper Tom Smith said.

“The hard work starts now. We haven’t hit our straps yet. It’s a good position to be in and we are starting to play some good cricket so hopefully it’s the start of a little run into making finals.”

Smith said Bonbeach has been hot and cold this season, winning four games.

“When we’ve been good, we’ve been really good, but when we’ve been bad we’ve been absolutely shocking,” Smith said.

A wet pitch saw play abandoned in the Hampton-Murrumbeena game. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Smith blasted four sixes in his blazing knock of 44 off 38 balls, sharing a 69-run opening stand with Bryce O’Connor (26).

“I was hitting them quite well,” Smith said.

“Just playing with no fear…that’s how I’m going to play for the rest of the season, just go out there and try and whack it.”

Smith said the return of experienced batsman David Fernandez, who made 31, was key.

Bonbeach meets fellow finals aspirant Murrumbeena next weekend in a crucial game.

“They absolutely out played us last time…hopefully we can get some runs on the board and defend it,” Smith said.

Mentone's Matt Williams. Picture: Josie Hayden

In Division 1, Mentone consolidated top spot with a convincing eight-wicket win over Brighton District.

After Edward McGarry (3-18 off 8 overs) helped restrict the visitors to 9-115 off 40 overs, the Tigers roared to 2-121 off 26.4 overs, with opener Matthew Williams (64no) and skipper Dane Heverin (37no) smacking four sixes between them.

Dingley tailenders Mark Fitch (17no) and Ethan Hardeman (1no) steered their side to a gripping one-wicket win over McKinnon.

It was tense when Hardeman, who earlier took 3-23, joined Fitch at the crease with Dingley 9-94, chasing 100, but the pair knuckled down to take the the score to 9-102.

Loch O’Halloran (24) and Luke Spears (20) also impressed with the bat.

Reece Taylor (36) and Wade King (3-28) did best for McKinnon.

St Brigid’s/St Louis beat Chelsea to keep its finals hopes alive. Tristan Harris grabbed 3-32 to help dismiss the Seagulls for 125, and then Jeremy Heys (32) and Trae Love-Linay (30) shared a 65-run partnership to anchor the run chase.

Some bowling brilliance by Calum Ravesi gave Parkdale United a crucial win in Division 2.

Ravesi captured a career-best 6-28 off 8 overs to help skittle South Caulfield for 142. Sam Amon then fired with the bat, making 73, as the Pythons made 5-143 off 36 overs. For South Caulfield, Joel Rigoni snared 4-30.

Middle Park batsman Luke Clarke made a cracking start to 2021, making 104 in his side’s win over Port Melbourne.