WHILE heavy rain washed out turf games in the Dandenong District Cricket Association on Saturday, all the attention was on the synthetic grades. They didn't disappoint, and an unbeaten century from North Dandenong's Dale Walker and an eight-wicket haul from Hampton Park's Nathan Allen being the highlights.

Opening the batting for the Northerners' Fgrade, Walker didn't waste any time in chasing down Keysborough's paltry score of 27, and smashed the opposition attack to all parts of the ground at Lyndale Secondary College for a round-high 107 in his side's total of 4-194 declared.

Mark Gibson tore through the Keysborough batting line-up taking 5-17 off nine overs, and the Northerners will be pushing for outright victory next week.

Opening the bowling for Hampton Park in its C-grade match against Fountain Gate, Allen was on fire in the cold, wet conditions, taking a career-best 8-27 off 12 overs.

Fountain Gate was shot out for 71 and its innings had four ducks.

Allen was denied a perfect 10-wicket haul by namesake Danny Allen, who took the remaining two wickets.

In reply, Hampton Park quickly went about getting the required runs and at stumps was 1-92. Allan Kretser (35no) and Murray Beagley (34) got solid starts and put their side into a position where it can press for outright points next week.

St Mary's under-17(2) opening bowler Corey Ely produced the best figures, 5-8 off eight overs that included three maidens, in the junior games that got under way. Played in wet, cold conditions, the match was restricted to 44 overs.

Lyndale won the toss and batted but was restricted to 83. Perera (29) and Badzoka (19) were the main contributors.

In reply, St Mary's was well on the way to victory at 1-48 with strong starts from Ashan Anthony (14), Sherwin Heldt (15no) and Daniel Senior (13no).