Bombers snatch victory from Merinda Park

EMERALD Cricket Club’s A Grade after restricting Merinda Park to 213 last week, resumed this week at 1/11.
The Bombers got off to a bad start on the second day before Quenten Lucas and Wes Wright steadied the Bombers with a partnership of 73 which brought the score to 4/116 after Lucas was out for 36.
With a slow run rate the Bombers needed to up the scoring rate and David Black did well to bring the score to 154. Wright was still in and looking good as wickets fell around him.
Wright was the seventh wicket to fall as he made a brilliant 72. The score fell to 9/186 with 7 overs to go and with a target of 213 the win seemed beyond the Bombers reach, but Daniel Porter, 29, and Mark Wheatley, 5 not out, produced the finish the Bombers wanted when they pulled off a miracle victory in the last over.
B Grade: After Merinda Park made 258 last week, the Bombers had a tough task to chase down the runs. Yo Roelink and Tim Sproule opened up and got the Bombers off to a good start.
But by the 20th over both openers had fallen, each made 21. Cam Williams came in and looked very solid for his time at the crease and got a well made 29, as the Bombers lost a steady stream of wickets.
James Litterbach returned to some form as he compiled a hard hitting 28. Jarred Gillespie’s 16 and a quick 15 not out from David Cox saw the Bombers dismissed for 170 in the 68th over.
Although disappointed to lose the game there were encouraging signs as a number of batsmen got off to good starts.
D Grade: After restricting Kooweerup to 210 last week, the Bombers were confident to pull off a win and continue their rise up the ladder. Emerald got off to an indifferent start when the fell to 4/42 after 21 overs.
Then Julian Powell and Lucas McGann put together a potential match winning partnership of 99. Powell was looking the goods until he was bowled for an important 34 and then Michael Borkowski joined McGann at the crease.
McGann continued to punish the bowling but with the score on 186 he was out for a brilliant 83. Lee Ligtermoet joined Borkowski as the Bombers passed the score to win the game. Emerald was bowled out for 257 with Borkowski making 30 and Ligtermoet 37.
E Grade: Emerald went into the day’s play against Tooradin chasing 195 to win. The loss of an early wicket saw Aaron Cameron join Neil O’Connell at the crease. The pair put on an 84 run stand with Cameron making 55 before he was bowled in the 21st over.
Another couple of wickets fell and the game was on the balance at 4/126 with Mark O’Brien joining O’Connell. O’Brien made a patient 24 as O’Connell passed his 50. It wasn’t until the 61st over until O’Connell was out for a fantastic 56, which anchored the innings. Eric Glazner steered the ship home for the Bombers with 55 and was helped by Brett Hamilton’s 24 not out as the Bombers ended up with the win and 283 runs.
Under 16 Red: The Reds played against Pakenham in a one-dayer. The undermanned Reds went down to Pakenham by 64 runs. In the batting innings the Bombers made 4/59 with Corey Sweeney making 23 not out, Byron Sidwell 14, and Brock Barlow 9 not out.
In the bowling innings Pakenham made 3/113. Brock Barlow got 2/19 and was on a hat-trick and Sweeney got the other wicket. Although they lost, the Bombers fought it out well.
Under 16 Black: Playing Officer, the Blacks had their second win for the year. The Bombers bowled first and restricted them to 69. Zeb Quigley got 3/15, and Jayden Thompson 2/16.
In reply the Bombers batted well to post 139. Dan Leversha made 23, Rob Wynne 35 not out, and Zeb Quigley 24. A thanks goes out to Officer for their scorers.
Under 14 Black: Playing Pakenham Upper-Toomuc, the Blacks were unlucky to lose in a close game. Batting first they made 86. Chris Jones made 16 not out, Tye Johnstone 16 not out, and Tom Baldock 13.
In reply they just passed the total to make 3/102. Baldock, Callum Thoms and Jones got the wickets.
Under 14 Red: Playing Officer, the Reds suffered the same fate as the blacks. Batting first they made 68. Fraser Burns made 20 not out while Mitchell Copey and Tom Mather made 11. Officer passed the total easily as they made 2/118. David Gatt took the two wickets.