Dulip By Iain Harley
DULIP Samaraweera set a new association record making 235 not out in Johnson Park’s game against Knoxfield.
Playing in their annual Mark Paffett Shield game the Sharks set the Knights a target of 365. Samaraweera came to the wicket at the end of the first over of the day and never looked back belting 27 fours and five sixes.
Diving home for two on the second last ball of the day saw him surpass a record (234) previously set by Ferntree Gully star Andrew Downs in 1992-93.
Knoxfield veteran bowler Mark Stewart said, “That was one of the hardest days in the field that I can remember, but I witnessed the best knock I’ve ever seen in this competition”.
The Sharks score was built on a partnership between Samaraweera and Bryn Gaunt (85) that recognised 298 runs. The 33-year-old Samaraweera played seven tests and five One-Day Internationals for Sri Lanka.
Rowville made 260 at Seebeck reserve against Upwey. Matt Blackman top scored for the Hawks with 52 with Paul Evans (47) and Gavin Williams (32) ensuring a decent target for the Tigers next week. Mathew Grace and Ben Taylor took three wickets apiece.
Upper Ferntree Gully finished the day on 223 thanks to Peter Dalton’s 78. The Kings were in trouble early at 3/9 but it was solid batting between Dalton and Jay Colee that helped them settle to set the Saints a solid target.
Susantha Pradeep did the damage for the Saints taking 5/61 of 25 overs.
Lysterfield were bowled out by Knox Gardens for 143. Adrian Zandt was among the wicket takers bagging 5/45. Adam Wild chipped in with 4/36 for the Falcons while Chris Hill made 61 for the Beavers.
Mark Butters continued to perform with the ball taking 7/36 in Ferntree Gully’s clash with The Basin. The Huntsmen’s’ captain Adam Luckman made 41 supported by Hick 35, but it was Butters that would have taken the votes for his performance.
Belgrave managed 154 against Mountain Gate with Scott Vozzo making 30 for the Magpies while George Shaw (4/45) and Dave Harris (4/46) did the work for the Gators.
In Decoite Shield Lysterfield made 8/326 on the back of a century by Tydan Latty, giving The Basin a chase next week. South Belgrave made 8/325 against Johnson Park.
Jason Fraser led the way for Monbulk making 146 in their score of 9/296 against Footballers. Eildon Park set Upwey 230 and Ferntree Gully managed 176 against Upper Ferntree Gully.
