WITH first-innings points already in the bag after routing North Dandenong for 60 in round 9, Berwick turf 1 was aiming for an outright win.
The Bears resumed their first innings at 6-80 with Rob Chilver cementing his place in the middle order with a patient 57 not out. Chilver and Cam McDonnell put on an entertaining 65 runs for the 10th wicket before McDonnell was dismissed for 29, which included two big sixes.
Berwick was all out for 189 and any hope of repeating its first innings demolition of the opposition evaporated in the the sun.
A defiant North Dandenong waltzed to 1-62 with James Prendergast taking the only wicket of the second innings for Berwick, which had to be content with first-innings points.
Berwick moved to fifth position on the ladder 15 points clear of its nearest opponent. It's guaranteed a finals berth, with two games remaining against Narre Warren and St Mary's, who are in the relegation zone.
Turf 2 was bundled out for 51 in its first innings against Hampton Park, which posted 5-154 in reply. Resuming on day two, the Bears lost night watchman Michael Dalzottoa and opener Josh Sauze to be 3-39 but rallied on the back of a masterful century by Shaun Butler and useful contributions from Matt Crosby, 34 and Marty McGauran, 19.
Berwick was 5-213 at stumps after its best batting display of the season.
It gives the Bears some momentum for their two remaining games of the season, one of which they must win to get them off the bottom of the ladder. After posting a competitive 216 against Cranbourne, A grade was aiming for quick wickets for a win to keep its final hopes alive.
The signs weren't promising after three catches were dropped as Cranbourne posted 114 runs before losing its first wicket.
However, off-spinner Trevor McGeachin turned the game on its head, taking three of the next four wickets to fall with the score at 6-176. Then Dean Holden came on and took three quick wickets, leaving the opposition needing 11 runs to win with two wickets in hand.
Cranbourne held on to win, posting 8-227. McGeachin and Holden were the best of the bowlers with 3-54 and 3-39 respectively. Chasing Lynbrook's imposing 309, B grade's chances melted in the heat. They were shot out for 71 with Toby de Riter, 22, Ben Holland, 13, and Hemath Ananta, 16, providing the only resistance.,
Forced to follow on, the Bears did a little better in their second dig, being dismissed for 105. Will Chapman top-scored with 26 and Anata made 19. Set 264 by Hampton Park, E grade was skittled for 30. The Bears did a little better in their second innings with 79, led by Barry Wheelan's 27.
Junior results: U17 (1): Berwick 73 lt Springvale South 4-75. U17(3): Lynbrook 9-248 (S Jenner, 2-12, C Grant, 2-28) d Berwick 117 (A Murray, 50no, A Piasentin, 32). U15(1): Berwick 2-151 (R Williamson, 50no , K Driscoll, 49no ) d Heinz Southern Districts 7-117 (E Morris, 3-16, G De Silva, 2-9). U15(2): Springvale South 9-58 (C Jones, 3-8, A Cross, 2-18) lt Berwick 4-66 (Y Umesh, 38no ). U15(3): Heinz Southern Districts 5-113 (T Goodes, 2-16) lt Berwick 6-122 (A Murray, 32, L Nicholson, 28). U13(1): Berwick 3-79 (J Jessiman, 25no ) d St Marys 7-78. U13(2): Berwick Blue 2-99 (K Fox 26no , B Oliver, 26no , J Sauze 25no ) d Narre Warren 7-74 (J Sauze, 2-4, A Titford, 2-7); Lyndale 22 (J McLean, 2-4) lt Berwick White 8-110 (P Lawrance, 28no ). U13(3): Hampton Park 2-112 (A Adrees, 30no , D Jameson, 25no ) d Berwick 8-104. U13(4): Berwick 4-173cc (M Coe, 26no , S Hamdam, 26no , LJ Lawrance, 25no ) d Narre North 6-84 (L Lawrance, 2-1). U11(1): Berwick Bears 7-50 lt Fountain Gate Gold 2-123; Fountain Gate Green 3-117 d Berwick Cubs 3-91.
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