MERTON cricketers travelled to take on the in-form third-placed Milawa on Saturday on a slow outfield at the Milawa Recreation Reserve. Milawa won the toss and sent Merton in to bat, with the visitors making 3/152 off 36 overs. Skipper Jai Lerch-McKinnon and Jarrod Mahoney both top-scored with 38. Mahoney was particularly aggressive in the latter overs, helping his side to a competitive total. James Benton also contributed with 29, while Aden Graham was the most consistent bowler for the home side, finishing with 1/10. Milawa's batting strength was on full display early, with opener David Radeski smashing boundaries at will before falling on 32. The Merton bowlers then began to build pressure, slowing the run rate. Milawa's Ryan Brereton looked like winning the game for his side, blasting 32 in the middle order. However, when he was dismissed, the scoring rate declined, and wickets fell quickly. The lower order tried to hit out with a climbing run rate required, but Milawa was eventually all out for 106. Lerch-McKinnon took 2/19, Craddock 2/17, and the combination of an outstanding spell from Josh Johnson (2/13 off 7 overs) and Rohan Berriman (3/9) secured a memorable victory for Merton. Merton now sits fourth on the ladder, with several sides pushing for finals spots over the next four rounds in a very competitive WDCA B Grade competition. Merton takes on local rivals Delatite at Lords next Saturday.
