The D-Rag      13 February 2008

Sodo says Farewell

The fourth grade team said goodbye to club stalwart Leigh Soding on the weekend by claiming a nail biting victory over Melville. With 40 runs required and two wickets in hand the equation came down to 5 runs with last man Mick Jurss at the crease. The seasoned campaigner did not let Leigh or his teammates down and the 4’s were victorious by one wicket, a fitting way to send off ‘Sodo’

All other grades found the going tough with the first grade side collapsing, losing its last 6 wickets for less than ten runs, as Melville ran rampant through the Dragons batting card. Apart from a resilient half century from Captain Kris Elliot no other batsman could manage a respectable score. Willetton's score of 152 was nowhere near enough as the Melville side strolled to victory. Zane Arthur bowled fantastically all day for the Dragons and was rewarded with 5 wickets in a losing cause.

The 2’s were faced with the tough ask of chasing down 320 runs, albeit on a flat Burrendah wicket. The total would prove to be too much and an all- too- familiar score of less than 180 was the result.

The 3rd grade side had 216 runs to defend against Melville and were in the box seat after restricting the home team and having them 3/37 first ball after lunch. From then on it was all Melville, as countless chances went begging. Willetton were unable to pick up another wicket until the game had been won, eventually dismissing Melville for 275.

The juniors had mixed results on the weekend. The 13’s went down to South Perth despite a defiant 50 from Brennan Wilson. The 17’s were set up for a win against Melville with 247 runs on the board thanks to Ben Moulden 68 Saksham Gupta 50; however a washout week two ruined any chance of a result.

The 15’s won their game in week one thanks to a ferocious spell of fast bowling from Akash Fotedar, taking 6-11 off 11 overs, bowling Melville out for 52. In reply Willetton were 2 -74 with keeper/ batsman Mitch Murray blasting 38 off 33 balls to ensure the win. A washout in week two allowed 15’s to edge within 2 points of 3rd position.