Sport
17 December, 2024
A reserve dishes up the drama to finish 2024
The final round of A reserve for the 2024 calendar year brought with it some excellent drama, with a first-up win bringing the first 100 of the season and a dramatic finish at MKM.
Beaufort 4/221 def Carisbrook 9/219
Nick Stabbins and Andrew Grant were the heroes for Beaufort, who delivered the Crows their first win of the season.
In the early stages of the afternoon, however, it looked anything but.
With Carisbrook electing to bat first, Elliot Cullinan continued his dominant season with the willow in helping guide the Brookers to 1/154.
Cullinan’s 82 meant that he now leads the runscoring charts by over 100 runs, taking his tally to 291 for the season.
But his dismissal, coupled with Malcolm Woolley’s runout of Rohan Mackay for 42, triggered a collapse, and Carisbrook would lose 8/61.
Grant finished with 4/35 as chief destroyer for the Crows.
When it came time for the Crows to bat, Grant continued on his good form, and along with Stabbins, the duo got the score to 115 before Grant went off due to cramp.
Grant would later return to bring up his 50, but was dismissed soon after for 56.
However, Richard Stokes’ five fours in succession would help turn the game Beaufort’s way, and Stabbins would soon bring up an unforgettable 100 — his first since 2020.
Maryborough 0/83 def Laanecoorie Dunolly 8/79
Maryborough moved a game and percentage clear on top of the ladder, putting an undermanned Laanecoorie Dunolly to the sword by 10 wickets at Princes Park.
Maryborough bowled first and the decision to do so was a good one, as they restricted Laane to just 79 runs off 30 overs.
Steven Dellavedova was the pick of the Laane batters, scoring 26 at essentially a run a ball, but it was Liam Maffescioni, Jasper Trickey and Jacob Glen who had the biggest impact with the ball.
Maffescioni took 3/12 off 6.5 overs, while Trickey (2/5 off three) and Glen (2/19 off five) also contributed heavily.
It was with the bat where Jason Hunt shone, and his quickfire 62 off just 27 deliveries not only helped Maryborough get the job done in just 8.1 overs, but also moved him to third in the runscoring charts.
Colts Phelans 8/185 def by Clunes 7/186
In an evenly-matched game, Clunes moved to within percentage of second by defeating Colts Phelans by three wickets.
Some good consistent scores at the top of the order helped Colts score 8/185, with Aaron Balzan backing up his last start of 73 with another 34 runs, while the consistent Graham Taylor continued what’s been an excellent season, scoring 42 runs.
Josh Dunn took 2/25 for Clunes, while Brett Coon took 2/37.
A first ball wicket wasn’t the ideal start for Clunes, and a second-wicket, with Johno Melton taking a spectacular catch in slip to remove Jude McGuire for four, didn’t help matters.
But Mitch Coppick would step up to the plate, scoring 76 as he continued a great personal run of form against Colts in the recent past.
Taylor kept Colts in the game, and took back individual command of the leading wicket-taker of 2024/25 so far with four wickets, taking him to 15 for the season.
It was Dylan Davies, however, who helped guide Clunes home, scoring an unbeaten 28.
MKM 56 def by Talbot 8/57
A drama-charged afternoon at Ron Sinclair Oval saw Talbot hold on for a one-run win, successfully defending 57.
The Yabbies were in desperate trouble throughout their innings, with Tristan Tack running through their top and middle order in an inspired performance, combining well with Muhammad Haseeb Khan.
Tack would take 4/19 off eight overs, with Khan taking 2/20.
Same late hitting from Jack Kenden meant that Talbot would have to defend 57, making 20.
The Mill, at different times, looked fairly comfortable in their chase, getting to 2/39.
But the Mill would have a small collapse, losing 4/11, as Jorde Bux got Talbot into the game.
The Mill still looked good with just three needed at 6/55, but Karl Gunther changed the game with three quick wickets.
In the end, the Mill would lose their last four wickets for just one run in a crazy finish.
Both Bux and Gunther were the heroes, taking 3/6 apiece as they kept the Yabbies well and truly inside the top four, sitting just a game behind second-placed Colts Phelans.
Round Nine
Teams will now have to wait until February to get back on the park — but it will be worth the wait, with two games between top four teams taking place.
Taking top billing will be the clash between Maryborough and Clunes at Princes Park, with this bird battle featuring both teams currently flying.
The Owls have moved a game clear on top, but will be on equal footing with the Magpies if they are able to take a win away from home.
Colts Phelans and Talbot will also meet in another top four battle.
A Colts win will mean they stay in the fight for the minor premiership, but a loss will mean Talbot moves to equal billing with them.
Fresh off their first win of the season, Beaufort will look to take a second straight win when they host Laanecoorie Dunolly.
Laane are desperate for a win to keep in touch with the top four, and a win, coupled with a Talbot loss, could see them back inside the top four.
Carisbrook and MKM round out the matches for round nine, with both teams looking to keep their small finals chances alive.
Both teams missed out on golden opportunities to close the gap in round eight, but it will be a chance for both to get back on the winners’ list regardless.