Dowling Shield: Four batsmen start Cricket Victoria U17 series with centuries

Cats Henry Melville and Oliver Peake and Dogs Josh Pace and Mitchell Jamieson took applause when the Dowling Shield started on Sunday.

Oliver Will on the attack for Prahran, watched by Frankston Peninsula wickie Cooper Huggard. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Four centuries, big partnerships and a five-wicket haul from a son of gun made for a rousing start to the Victorian Premier Cricket Dowling Shield series on Sunday.

Geelong pair Henry Melville and Oliver Peake put on 229 for the second wicket as the Cats took hold of Essendon’s bowling at Geelong Cricket Ground.

Left-hander Peake, the son of former Victorian batsman Clinton, was the first to three figures. He scored 114 off 129 deliveries, with 11 fours.

Melville batted through for 142 not out. He faced 151 balls and put away 12 fours and 2 sixes as the home team came in with 3-296.

Both had played for the Geelong Second XI the previous day, with Peake hitting 61 not out and Melville 45.

Essendon made 8-162 in reply, with Peake completing an outstanding match with 3-19 off seven overs.

There was a similar scorecard at the Merv Hughes Oval, where Footscray batters and best mates Josh Pace and Mitchell Jamieson took the Greenvale Kangaroos attack to pieces.

Prahran batsman Joseph Klotz swings a ball to the leg-side. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Opener Pace cracked 140 not out off 140 balls, with 13 boundaries, and shared a 244-run partnership for the second wicket with Jamieson, whose 128 came off 117 balls and was studded with 16 fours and 2 sixes.

The Bulldogs blazed 4-329.

The Kangaroos reached 6-158 in their reply, with No 3 Brodie Reaper fighting hard for 61 off 99 balls.

“They were both outstanding,’’ Dogs coach Dervic Duradbegovic said of Pace and Jamieson.

“It was unbelievable to watch. I’ve been involved in this program for about eight or nine years now in the YPL, and it was as good as batting as I’ve seen … the stroke play, the maturity, the tempo, the skill … all facets of batting.

“They rotated it with the ones and batted smart. And they did it in tough conditions. It was a really hot day and for Josh to bat 50 overs was tremendous.’’

Both players are from Keilor Cricket Club. While Jamieson is already attached to the Bulldogs, Pace, a tall left-hander, is having another season in the VTCA.

Melbourne’s Henry Pearson cuts hard against St Kilda. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Ringwood openers Archie Flynn and Zac Grech put on 142 to set their team up for victory over Dandenong at Jubilee Park.

Flynn, the son of Rams head coach Sean, hit 71 and Grech 70 as the hosts reached 5-260.

Dandenong replied with a respectable 9-239, opener Jaskabeer Singh topping the list with 58. Ryan Webster (51) and No 10 Sam McKean (47no) showed fight down the order.

Leg-spinner Tom Wrigglesworth, the son of former Victorian all-rounder Ian, grabbed 5-16 off 5.3 overs as Melbourne swept through St Kilda for 126.

St Kilda paceman Harry Jones. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The Demons had earlier made 7-243, with No 3 Koby James creaming 79 off 92 balls.

James is from Echuca and is playing for Melbourne’s Second XI.

“He knows how to make runs; he’s played against men up in the bush,’’ Demons coach Al McCooke said of the right-hander.

“He’s got a beautiful, compact technique.’’

Harry Dixon, who has played for St Kilda’s First XI this season, top scored with 45.

Ben Buller bowling for Frankston Peninsula. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Prahran (9-247) held out Frankston Peninsula (9-236) at Toorak Park.

Oliver Will and Joseph Klotz both scored 71 and put on 128 for the third wicket for the True Blues.

Max Walker (54) led the Heat reply but eventually fell to tall Prahran paceman Orlando Pender, who snared 4-29 off five overs.

Leggie Caleb Candappa opened the bowling for the home team and slipped in with 2-35 off 10.

In other matches, Carlton (4-233) ran down Richmond’s 7-222, Camberwell Magpies (8-134) held out Melbourne University (129) and Kingston Hawthorn (161) protected its total against Casey South Melbourne (153).

Round 2 will be played tomorrow (January 25).

Sam Gove sends one down for Frankston Peninsula against Prahran. Picture: Valeriu Campan