Bentleigh Uniting Thrashes Le Page Park in Longmuir Shield Round 11
On a sweltering afternoon at Le Page Park 1, Bentleigh Uniting demonstrated their cricketing prowess, as they registered an imposing total of 245 for the loss of six wickets in their South East Cricket Association Longmuir Shield Round 11 encounter against Le Page Park 1. The visitors’ top-order batters, particularly C Cathcart and C Short, fired on all cylinders, with the latter crafting a magnificent unbeaten century. Despite a determined effort from Le Page Park 1, who managed 211 in reply, Bentleigh Uniting emerged victorious by 34 runs in a thrilling contest.
Bentleigh Uniting’s top order batters, led by C Cathcart, laid the foundation for the mammoth total. Undeterred by the early setback of losing B De Alwis (10), caught behind by J Glazier off the bowling of LJ Wilton, Cathcart forged an 87-run opening stand with C Short. Cathcart (52) was eventually dismissed, stumped off LJ Wilton’s bowling, but not before propelling their team to a strong total.
C Short took the center stage after Cathcart’s dismissal, expertly crafting his innings, as the middle-order bats provided minimal contributions. Short notched up a fantastic 106*, guiding his team to an imposing total. The middle-order witnessed some degree of instability, with Bentleigh Uniting losing wickets at 149 (H Zaia and L Russell) and 243 (M Silva). However, it was O Bolt’s middle-order wickets that kept Le Page Park 1 in the game.
Le Page Park’s bowlers displayed individual contributions as they tried to counter the onslaught from Bentleigh Uniting’s batters. LJ Wilton claimed two vital wickets and was well supported by TR Gramaconi, who chipped in with one wicket. O Bolt claimed two middle-order wickets to stem the flow of runs somewhat, but Le Page Park 1 needed more to curtail their opposition.
Chasing a daunting target of 245, Le Page Park 1’s K Rabadi led the charge, posting an impressive fifty (57) and contributed significantly to a determined effort by the team. Elsewhere in the top order, LJ Wilton provided a sharp contribution of 39 before being bowled by B De Alwis. Lower down the order, TR Gramaconi displayed a gritty knock of 36 before being caught by M Silva off the bowling of G McCormick. A Late surge from L Carroll (29*) and E Capp (10*) proved insufficient for Le Page Park 1, as they finished 34 runs short of their target, reaching 211.
Despite facing a mammoth target, Bentleigh Uniting’s bowlers mustered an individual contribution, led by G McCormick and M Silva, who claimed two wickets apiece, dealing crucial blows to Le Page Park 1’s batting effort. The disciplined bowling of Bentleigh Uniting ensured they kept their opponent’s run rate in check, even as Le Page Park’s middle order provided minimal contributions in their pursuit of 245.
The impressive showing by Bentleigh Uniting resulted in a well-deserved victory in the Longmuir Shield Round 11, as they outplayed Le Page Park 1 in an entertaining encounter. The winning team will take plenty of confidence from this performance and will look to carry their form forward into the upcoming fixtures.
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