Dunstan run to the finals just got more interesting thanks to Glen Iris boil-over

A gusty run chase by Glen Iris to overhaul their hosts and top of the ladder Old Carey, has scored them one of the Dunstan wins of the season. It has also widened the relegation chasm now being faced by three teams. Bulleen joins Glen Iris and Canterbury to the most unwanted place at this time of the season - which is to play your best to avoid Dunstan Shield demotion. East Doncaster by virtue of a comparatively health percentage to Canterbury is most likely safe in fifth position. They just missed maximum second innings points in their match against Bulleen. See below..

At the ECAs Premier Turf Ground, the Gramlick Oval in Bulleen, the hosts batted first on week one. A supurb century by Herb Berridge  (105 from 190) plus a patient but no less important 58 (133) by opener Luke Sharrock along with lower order contributions saw Old Carey score a healthy 9/261from their 80.  Wickets were shared by Glen Iris, with Andrew Stolzenburg the pick with 3/51 from his 17.

In week two, with warm weather forecast, a positive start by Glen Iris was need to ensure they could bat deep into the afternoon and give themselves a dip against tiring bowling. Skipper Lachy Holmes (79 from 140) and Ben Jacobs (29 from 111) indeed did set an excellent platform with their 123 opening partnership.  But the loss of some crucial wickets just before the break saw the Glen Iris wheels wobble with Old Carey forcing themselves back into the contest. Daniel Cohen (19) and Lucas Skelton steadied the ship before Cohen was dismissed with the score on 148. There was still plenty of work to do. David Carman (34 from 57) joined Skelton and the experineced pair posted a healthy 85 run partnership as the mercury touched 38°C. With Glen Iris still needing a run a ball to reel in the remaining 31 runs, it was the experineced Skelton who guided them home.  The second last over of the innings bowled by Old Carey skipper Sam Moriarty (3/41 from 22) was superb with just three runs conceded. Glen Iris needed nine in the last over to win. According to Lucas Skelton, it was a 'back-yard-practiced' lap paddle that he hit for four to fine leg on the first ball that all but guranteed a win. Cam Adam creamed a square drive off the third ball to finish an epic Dunstan Shield game at 6.15pm.  For Old Carey, who are certain finalists, it may be one of those 'just before finals losses' that focuses the players over the next month as they take on North Balwyn (away) and then Mont Albert also away. Great credit to all players and umpires Garry Shipp and Steve Oluc.

This one didn't have the drama of the Old Carey v Glen Iris match, but it was still significant in the context of ladder position. It was 2nd v 3rd. These two Dunstan heavy-weight rivals are both guaranteed for finals, so any psychological edge that could be gained from individual matchups and performances may prove important in a month's time.

With the mercury hovering around 38°C during the afternoon, it had the feel of the 2023-24 Grand Final played between these two sides on the same ground.

Winning the toss and batting first, North Balwyn Skipper Xavier Bateman had no hesitation batting. After a patient start thanks to Louis Macciocca (43 from 162), and with wickets in hand, North Balwyn's middle order were in a good position to accelerate their scoring after the break.  With Nitesh Patel (48 from 125) playing his reliable hand perfectly, Elliot Brandon-Jones (74* from 73) and Tom Clarke (33* from 33) cashed-in, for North Balwyn to post a healthy 221 from their 80. A score that is typically well defended on the Mont Albert oval. Mont Albert's bowlers stuck at it with Angus Napier picking up 3/31 from his 11.

In response, Mont Albert's top order were held in check by the excellent partnership-bowling of medium quick Xavier Batemen (1/28 from 19) and the left arm orthodox of Zain Latif. Latif bowled 35 overs to claim an exceptional 5/80 for the innings. Mont Albert will be rueing the starts made by the top order without anyone posting a signficant score to get them into the game. Jack Morley finished an excellent match top scoring with 47 to go with his 1/86 from 34 overs.  With back to back losses, Mont Albert will be looking to getting a win - they face Bulleen at home next week (who are playing to avoid the possibilty of demotion) and Old Carey in the final round - also at home. They sit third on the ladder, and are certain starter for the finals.  Signficicantly, North Balwyn have jumped to second, equal on points to the top side Old Carey. Their match up next week could determine the minor premiership, and that all important home-ground advantage come the Semi Finals.

A d first innings effort by Bulleen set up East Doncaster with an opportunity to get rare outright points in Dunstan Shield. Riley Jones with an extraordinary 7/6 from 9 overs destroyed the visitors who chose to bat first. Then a blistering 79 from 88 by East Doncaster's Joe Wilson put the hosts within reach of the all important points that would have all but guaranteed their place in Dunstan for next season.   

With Bulleen at 5/82 in their second dig, the outright was on, but a gutsy 43* from 115 from Andrew Fernando (to go with his 3/32) stymied East Doncaster. Riley Jones backed up again with three wickets giving him a very rare 10 wickets for the match. East Doncaster's run home is Canterbury at home and then Edinburgh away. Bulleen will take on Mont Albert at Mont Albert and then face off against Glen Iris.

Edinburgh put in a thoroughly professional performance at home, with an imposing 281 batting first on the WT Peterson Oval in Brunswick against Canterbury. Most of their batting order had time in the middle - James Fear with 59 from 70 balls the top score. Canterbury had no response to Edinburgh Skipper Suraj Kaluhalamulla - he picked up 5/19 in his 16 overs to add to his already formidable record so far this season. For Canterbury, it was a disapponting follow up to their upset, Steven Duckworth-inspired win over Mont Albert in the previous round. Fats Singh took 5/108. Sitting at the bottom of the table, Canterbury face East Doncaster away and then North Balwyn at home in their final two rounds. After leading the competition up to Christmas, Edinburgh will face Glen Iris away and then East Doncaster at home.