Belgrave squads in finals push

WITH its top four grades currently well placed for finals action, Belgrave Cricket Club has looked to its 5ths and 6ths for round 9 success in the FTGDCA.
The one-day side came up with the goods as required defeating South East Wanderers by 55 runs. Young Tom Hope made a steady 51 (ret.) while Cam Ray made 47 and Shane Suckling 33 in Belgrave’s 3/192. Jason Conduit did best with the ball in a comeback game for him. He took 3/18 to have SE Wanderers out for 137. The sixths are still a game and a half from the all-important 3rd spot, but with a smooth run home and some dedicated cricket, they may still see some one-day finals action.
In division 7, six sides are fighting out the 3rd and 4th places with Belgrave the sixth of those teams. The fifths cannot afford another slip-up and their round 9 clash with Mountain Gate is on a knife-edge.
Mountain Gate posted 211 all out, with a not-fully-fit Sean Connolly making a rare appearance in the lower grades taking 4/35 and Mat Pinwill making a welcome return to take 3/47. Belgrave are 5/102 overnight but with Pinwill at the crease, there is every chance of a big score from him and success for the fifths to keep them well in the running.
The first XI travelled to Lysterfield and restricted the bottom side to 225. Lynton Toms was best of the bowlers taking 4/84 from a marathon spell, while Udara Silva took 3/50.
The seconds will be hoping to finish Mountain Gate’s division 3 finals aspirations, and so far they have not put a foot wrong. Batting on a big ground the seconds finished the day at 3/281 with Doug Oaten posting his maiden century with a fine 133, while opener Greg Brown became the second Belgrave player to carry his bat through an innings this season making 106 not out.
The thirds were also against a Mountain Gate XI and performed equally well scoring 9/201cc on a large slow ground. Dana Smith made 57 and Anton Kokke made 52, leaving the Gators with plenty to do to revive their finals hopes.
The fourths travelled to Eildon Park and were well held by a side pressing for a top four spot. Belgrave made 240 but will have to bowl and field well to defend their second spot on the ladder.
Mark Bourke (57) struggled early, but fought back superbly to post his first 50, while Dave McNamara found some form for 36 and the openers David Hoppner and Mat Levell put on 60 for the first wicket.