Wobbles, wickets and wow factor in VSDCA south-west section

VSDCA south-west pacesetters Brighton and Malvern face interesting tests, while Oakleigh and Caulfield racked up big totals and Werribee found form with the bat. Here’s a full wrap of day one of Round 5.

Josh Rymell made 62 for Caulfield against Altona on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Is this the game to kickstart Werribee’s season?

With just one win in the opening five rounds, the Tigers, 14th, have had an uncharacteristic slow start in VSDCA south west section.

But the old Werribee spirit was back on display on Saturday as it served it up to second-placed Malvern at Chirnside Park.

The Tigers batted with grit and determination to put up 230 and then had the visitors wobbling at 2-16 at stumps. Stephen Plumridge and Jonathan Burton both struck in a fiery six over period at the end of the day; Plumridge knocking back Malvern opener Max Tryfonos’ leg stump and Burton enticing a snick from the bat of Sam Arthur.

Werribee’s Nathan Taylor. Picture: Andy Brownbil

Earlier, Matt Burton and Nathan Taylor led the way as Werribee posted its highest score of the season.

Burton (47, with 3 fours) and Taylor (72, with 10 fours) shared a 61-run partnership after coming together at 3-49. Burton’s crisp cut shots were a feature while Taylor played an array of effortless drives.

Werribee’s tail wagged, too, with Kai Logan (25) and Mitch Cullen (8no) putting on 30 for the last peg.

Malvern’s bowlers stuck at it in the heat, with Michael McKenna taking 4-56 off 14 overs and Sam Hunt 3-50.

Jacob Thorne went past 300 runs for the season on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Caulfield champion Jacob Thorne went past 300 runs for the season when he made 93 to help the Fielders to 6-286 against Altona.

Thorne put away 8 fours and 3 sixes in his 172-ball stay. He shared a 117-run third wicket partnership with Josh Rymell (62), the pair taking the Fielders from 2-47 to 2-164.

Opener James Crosthwaite (33), No. 5 Madhur Gai (22) and all-rounder Jeremy Corby (24) also were in the runs.

Oakleigh opener Ned Bailey fell agonisingly short of a century, caught on 96.

Bailey, who hit 15 fours and one six in his 132-ball innings, shared a strong opening stand with Nathan Harford (67) as the Oaks set Hoppers Crossing 7-279.

Brett Smith led from the front with the ball for Hoppers Crossing, jagging 4-66 off 18 overs.

Glen Parker.

Brighton’s trusted trio delivered again with the ball as it dismissed Spotswood for 155. Peter Cassidy (3-51), Will Sist (2-30) and Glen Parker (4-44) took nine of the Tonners’ 10 wickets. In-form Spotty batter Lachlan McKenna top scored with 62. Brighton was 2-31 in reply, having lost Jacques Augustin and Harry Armstrong early. The Tonners are undefeated and in search of their sixth consecutive victory.

Elsternwick star Dasun Opanayaka has put his side in a commanding position over Port Melbourne.

With Opanayaka taking 6-53, the Eels dismissed the Borough for 199 and are 0-1 at stumps.

Port Melbourne was on its way to a strong score with opener Jake Rothnie at the crease on 68 before Opanayaka trapped him in front lbw.

A successful run chase next week would keep the Eels in touch with a runaway top six.

Ormond batsman-keeper Zac Sleeman made 63 in a total of 185 but Taylors Lakes finished the day on top. Lions paceman Chalitha Chamoda (4-19 off 13 overs) and left-arm spinner Dhanushka Lahiru Kumara (4-46 off 20.3) did the damage. In reply, Taylors Lakes reached 0-33 at stumps, with Jashanpreet Singh on 21 (with 3 fours and 1 six) and George Sakkas 11.

Moorabbin skipper Damsara Menuwara captured 5-61 off 17.2 overs and Caleb Candappa 3-44 to help dismiss Yarraville for 188 in the 67th over. Ashish Mathew top scored for the visitors with 77 (9 fours, 1 six). In reply, Moorabbin lost Candappa first ball to be 1-5 at stumps.

The Williamstown-Melton match was heavily impacted by rain, with Melton sitting 4-87 after 39 overs.

Willy’s Fraser Hay had 2-25.