In the final home-and-away clash of the season, Rowan Purkiss showed his worth at the top of the batting line-up with a resolute 22 combining with league-leading batsman Brad Francis for a 49-run second-wicket partnership.

Purkiss was removed with Berwick cruising at 2-73 and Gavan Wills came and went for a sturdy 22 just before tea.

Francis showed why he is considered one of the most prized wickets in the DDCA, capping a brilliant season with a chanceless 76.

Enter Evans. He tore the Saints to shreds with consummate ease, hitting a glistening 135 off 127 balls, including 20 boundaries and three towering sixes.

Ash Henry took a back seat with 30 and James Davies and Rob Chilver helped themselves to 15 apiece.

Turf two

Young gun Ryan Williamson hit 42 to help the Bears reach a respectable 157. Fountain Gate was 1-19 at the end of the day's play.

A grade

The thirds smashed 9-268 from just 67 overs against Fountain Gate, with Andrew Mazzagatti getting them off to a flying start with a fast-paced 67 that included 11 fours and two sixes and Matt Olver managing 51. The Bears declared their innings closed with five overs remaining but did not manage to take a wicket.

Two double centuries, a seven-wicket haul and a hat-trick were the highlights on day one of the rest of Dandenong District Cricket play on the weekend.

North Dandenong turf 1 batsman Carman Mapatuna came to the crease with his side 3-22 against Narre Warren and dominated the attack from the start on his way to a career-best 207 not out.

Doveton's Bradley Hendy also posted a double century, scoring 206 in the Doves' C grade match against Hampton Park. Hendy smashed 32 boundaries in his side's score of 6-397.

Parkfield's Richard Price was the standout bowler of the day, taking 7-24 from 12 overs in a B grade game against Doveton.

Cranbourne's Matthew Weller took a hat trick, finishing with 3-9 from five overs against Marantha Methodist.