Hill’s hattrick a winner

By Iain Harley
LYSTERFIELD leg spinner Chris Hill took a hattrick, leading the way for an easy win over Knox Gardens.
Hill finished with six wickets for 56 runs as Knox Gardens fell short of the 143 required for victory.
In their second innings Lysterfield made 7/128 with Knight making 40. It would be a disappointing loss for the Falcons having done all the work last week with the ball.
Ferntree Gully made the most of conditions smashing 8/305 in reply to The Basin’s 154. John Franchi was the best of the Blues bats making 57 not out while Leigh James was once again amongst the wickets with 4/40.
Johnson Park’s 365 proved too much for Knoxfield. The Knights managed 250 courtesy of Ben Morris (51) and Mark Stewart (50). The Sharks’ imposing total was built on the back of Duleep Samaraweera’s record innings of 235.
Ryan Pitts marked his return from Canada with 49 for Upwey but it wasn’t enough to get past ladder leader Rowville. The Tigers finished the day 9/218 after being 5/104 at tea. The run rate spiralled out of Upwey’s reach despite the best efforts of Richardson and Cross.
At Kings Park, Upper Ferntree Gully took the points over a hard finishing St John Tecoma. The Saints (209) fell 14 runs short with 8 balls left in the day. Sam Suriyarachchi (66) was the mainstay of the innings, and with some lusty hitting kept the Saints in the game. Justin Smith took 3/57 for the Kings.
Mountain Gate managed to creep past Belgrave in a close game, at one stage being 7/130. The Gators’ best were Hamdunnettige 58 and Clint Buckland 42. Rod Mead managed 3/18 for the Magpies.
Hawkes Pharmacy Junior Player of the Round: Glenn Wassink (The Basin) Under 17 (1).