THE sun returned and so did play in both A grade divisions, and across the whole LDCA as teams looked to begin their respective late season charges, with plenty of finals placings on offer. 

Mock continues form as Sharks keep surging

IN a battle between last season’s champions and this season’s leaders, Phillip Island travelled to the Nerrena Recreation Reserve to face off with Nerrena and the Sharks won the toss and chose to bat first in the one-day contest.
With strong contributions from their star bats Lachlan Cleeland (61 from 64) and Daniel Mock (64 from 66) and some decent middle order hitting from Thomas Keily (42 from 41) the Sharks posted a commanding first innings total.
Despite losing eight wickets, the Islanders finished with 240 runs on the board after their 40 overs, weathering the storm of Ryan Clark (3/41 from 7) and the rest of the Nerrena attack.
In reply, the hosts gave it a solid crack but never really recovered from losing gun batter Mitchell Clark for just 19, as they fell 87 runs short, managing just 10/153.
Charith Keerthisinghe (3/17 from 8) bowled magnificently to lead the visiting attack to the win, his side will now host Koonwarra L/RSL this weekend in Cowes, while Nerrena will host OMK.

Invy on way to top four 

INVERLOCH welcomed Wonthaggi down the road to Thompson Reserve and the visitors won the toss and chose to bat first.
In what was an incredibly even match, all 20 wickets fell and only 308 runs were made in total.
Club captain Ryan Thomas (46) who again led from the front with the bat, playing nicely and nearing a half century before he was sensationally run out by Invy’ young gun Harry Butcher.
Stewart Beaumont (26) and Joel Brann (26) each did their best to resurrect the visitors’ innings but the hosts bowling and fielding efforts proved too strong, claiming three run outs on their way to holding Wonny’ to 10/164.
Stingrays spinner Tom McQualter (3/28 from 7.2) bowled exceptionally at the death.
In reply, the hosts had an eerily similar innings, making just 154, but being led by their captain David Newman (74) who’s half century was a shining light along with young Jack Donohue’s (20) late effort.
Joel Brann (3/20 from 7) bowled well and even added a run out to see his side over the line in a superb defensive effort, they will now face Town back in Wonthaggi this weekend.
As for Inverloch, they’ll look to win their way into the top four as they host the Imperials. 

Trotto’s four the difference as OMK defeat Koony

IN what was the only two-day contest of the round, OMK welcomed Koonwarra L/RSL back to the Outtrim Recreation Oval with victory 307-runs away.
Despite losing two quick wickets with their score in the thirties, the Cougars were able to rebuild their innings nicely on the back of a 114-run partnership between their captain Ben Walsh (76 from 164) and young star Harry Hoekstra (71 from 112).
Both players notched half centuries but were unfortunately dismissed before their side’s score reached the 200-mark, as Adam Trotto (4/48 from 12) stole the momentum with a match-winning effort.
Trotto dismissed both Walsh and Hoekstra and tore through the Koony middle order to break the game open for the Diggers, eventually seeing them take the 36-run win despite late charges from tailenders Jack Hughes (21* from 33) and Isuru Wickramasinghe (25 from 19).
The victorious Diggers will now face off with Nerrena this weekend, while the Cougars will head over the bridge to face the Island. 

Town edge out Imps in Leongatha clash

THE Imperials welcomed Leongatha Town to the Leongatha Recreation Reserve as the two ‘Gatha based teams went at it, the visiting Scorpions won the toss and chose to bat first.
In an interesting first innings, several players got starts but could not reach the half century mark, as Damon Ginnane (4/47 from 8) bowled brilliantly and helped dismiss Town with 197 on the board.
Madura Mdasunka (48 from 52) top scored for the team in green, almost making it to a solid 50 before he fell to Ginnane.
In the second innings, the Imps set themselves to chase the 198 needed for victory but unfortunately lost both Ginnanes, Damon and Jack in the same Dulaj Polwaththa Gallage (3/35 from 8) over, seeing them 2/14 early.
They hosts were never able to recover from this early trouble and finished 45-runs shy of the target despite a gallant half century from Dimithri Perera (62 from 45).
The Imps will now head to Inverloch to battle it out with the Stingrays this Saturday, while Town will face off with Wonthaggi.