DDCA Turf 1: Hallam Kalora Park, Springy South win semi-finals

The DDCA says rain, not water running off the covers, caused a hold-up in play in the Turf 1 semi-final at Harold Rd on Sunday.

The wet patch at Harold Rd on Sunday.

Dandenong District Cricket Association officials have cleared Springvale South of any blame for the delay in play in Sunday’s Turf 1 semi-final against Buckley Ridges.

Play didn’t start on the spare day until 4pm due to a wet patch of grass close to the wicket.

It left Buckley Ridges with only 21 overs to chase Springvale South’s 7-190, made from 45 overs.

Buckley crashed to be all out for 68, ending its season.

On Monday fuming Buckley officials were adamant that water running off the covers had created the patch.

They called on the DDCA to investigate if Springvale South breached the association’s covers policy.

Last night DDCA secretary John Brooks told the club that league officials were satisfied that was not the case.

“After a thorough examination by DDCA Executive members with no allegiance to Springvale South and Buckley Ridges and taking into account all of the information and statements provided by Buckley Ridges, Springvale South, (the) umpire and the City of Greater Dandenong curator, it has been determined that Springvale South have not breached the DDCA covers policy,’’ Brooks said.

“It was determined that the wet patch was not caused by the removal of the covers but it was due to the excessive amount of rain that had fallen on the ground on Saturday.

“The covers were removed by Springvale South before the curator, umpires and players arrived at the ground. The curator has stated that in his view the covers were removed correctly from the square in the opposite direction of where the wet patch was located.

“The decision made by the umpires to leave the area to dry on its own accord was the right decision as the use of a broom would have made the condition of the wet patch worse, as the water was not surface water but water seeping up from below the ground. “Your captain Jayson Hobbs did attempt at one stage to use a broom, but quickly decided it was having no effect on the wet area.

“The late effort to use the hessian did assist with the drying of the area.

“It was also determined that there no reason to suggest that it was an attempt by Springvale South to sabotage the wicket and surrounds so play was either abandoned or shortened.’’

CONTROVERSY AS DDCA TURF 1 SEMI-FINALS GO INTO SPARE DAY

Hallam Kalora Park went through to the Turf 1 grand final and Springvale South advanced to the preliminary final after a semi-final weekend eventful on and off the field in the Dandenong District Cricket Association.

The one-day matches were played over Saturday and Sunday, with DDCA officials confirming on Sunday morning that all teams would receive their full 45 overs on the spare day after the first day was cut short by mid-afternoon rain.

Hallam Kalora Park defeated Berwick comfortably.

But there was yet more drama involving Springy South and Buckley Ridges, with play unable to start at Harold Rd until 4pm on Sunday because of a wet area just off the pitch.

South made 7-190 after resuming at 5-108 off 27 overs and Buckley, with only 21 overs to bat because of the lost time, was whipped out for 68 in 15.4 overs.

Bloods spinner Akshat Buch nabbed 5-26 off 7.4 overs after earlier contributing 33 with the bat.

The wet patch at Harold Rd.

But Buckley Ridges called on the DDCA to investigate why play was delayed.

In an email to association secretary John Brooks, the Bucks said the ground was “bone-dry’’ on Sunday morning before the covers were lifted.

“Then once they were removed a wet patch appeared on the outfield which delayed play until 4pm. This is a direct breach of the covers policy,’’ the club said.

It highlighted the aspect of the policy that states when removing covers any trapped water must run away from the wicket table and the bowlers’ run-ups.

“It also should be noted the umpires said that we were not allowed to mop up the water or sweep it away. Then after two-and-a-half hours they decided we could put hessian down which immediately soaked up the water and play was able to start after the tea break,’’ Buckley’s complaint said.

“The host club said that the wet patch was due to a low-lying spot on the ground which does not make sense when you consider the Round 9 game on January 30 was played at Harold road after 39mm of rain fell in the 24-hour period and over 100ml for the week whereas on Saturday we only had 24.6mm of rainfall and the wet patch miraculously occurred after not being there on Sunday morning.’’

Buckley Ridges had lost points earlier in the season for not putting down covers ahead of its match against Springvale South. It threatened to leave the DDCA over the issue and remains disappointed at the outcome.

At Hallam, the Hawks picked up at 3-82 off 34 overs on Sunday and improved to 6-171, with Jordan Hammond cracking 47 off 46 deliveries and opener Ben Hillard extending his innings to 64 before he was run out.

He faced 132 deliveries and hit 1 four and 1 six.

In the reply Berwick was knocked over for 128 in 41 overs, with Leigh Booth’s haul of 3-3 off five overs including the scalps of champion Matt Chasemore (4) and Wookey Medal star Ruwantha Kellepotha (first-ball duck).

Jarrod Goodes (21) got in some lusty hits down the list but the Wicks never threatened the target.

HKP opening bowler Will Whyte claimed 3-33 of 12 overs as Berwick was sent into the preliminary final.

There had been confusion on Saturday night about the playing conditions for Sunday, with Springy South and Hallam Kalora Park believing the umpires would apply an overs-lost rule.

Amid much discussion and opinion from the clubs, DDCA officials met on Sunday morning and resolved that with the spare day teams would receive 45 overs.

They believed it was in the spirit of cricket to play the games to their maximum.

DDCA president Mick Hawking said this morning: “I think you have to go back to the spirit of cricket and the fact that it’s not only about turf cricket, it’s about F grade, it’s about E grade, it’s about C grade. It’s about all these guys who just want to play cricket.

“Well, in my opinion, they should be given that opportunity, and that’s what we did.

“I think it was the right decision. Some people might disagree with that, but as far as I’m concerned we made the right decision for the game of cricket.’’

Springy South and Hallam played on Sunday under protest, but neither team had cause to take the issue any further after their victories.

Jordan Hammond captains the Hawks, whose last Turf 1 premiership was in 2001-02, when they defeated Dandenong West.

His father, Johnny, played in the team and was captain. Johnny’s brother Richard, now the Hawks’ coach, and legendary paceman Robbie Walton also figured in the flag.

Jordan returned to the club this season after a stint at Premier club Casey South Melbourne.