Sport
14 March, 2024
A reserve finals fire up for 2023/24
There are no second chances for what has been a runaway top four this season in A reserve, with the semi-finals to be played this weekend. Talbot, Clunes, Maryborough and Natte Yallock have made up the top four for a bulk of the season, and they...
There are no second chances for what has been a runaway top four this season in A reserve, with the semi-finals to be played this weekend.
Talbot, Clunes, Maryborough and Natte Yallock have made up the top four for a bulk of the season, and they will now get the opportunity to prove their credentials as they fight for a premiership.
The Yabbies, as minor premiers, will host Natte Yallock at Talbot Recreation Reserve as they look to go one step further from last year and make it to the grand final.
They will be hoping to also reverse their result from round nine, which saw the Swans take a 22-run victory on what was an emotional day, given they were also celebrating their 50th year anniversary.
Competition-leading run-scorer Trent Mortlock starred with the bat, scoring 49 runs in their knock of 124, before president Alan Streeter, Zac Mortlock and Callum Liddicoat played their role with the ball, with Streeter taking 3/21, Liddicoat 2/18 and Zac 2/22.
The Yabbies have been excellent with both bat and ball this season, and have been able to provide a number of good performers again.
Jack Kenden has led the way throughout the season, and ends the home-and-away campaign leading the bowling in the competition, as well as taking out the Yabbies’ batting.
Kenden has provided 213 runs from eight knocks this season, as well as taking 19 wickets, and looms again as one of the players to beat in the A reserve best and fairest count.
With the bat, Karl Gunther (163 runs), Jye Kenden (107), Ryan Kenden (103) and Jorde Bux (101) have also scored more than 100 runs for the season, while with the ball, Bux and Jag Searle have enjoyed excellent campaigns, taking 12 and 11 wickets respectively.
Trent’s terrific 133 against Carisbrook in their last start allowed him to take the lead in the batting for the competition with 278 runs for the season, and Zac has also added 172 runs for the season as well.
Evan Elliott is the only other Swan who has added over 100 runs for the season, with 118 runs.
With the ball, it’s Zac that leads with 11 wickets, while Liddicoat has taken nine for the season.
Clunes and Maryborough meet in the other semi-final at Princes Park, given the Magpies’ home ground of Bull Millgate Oval is unavailable due to the A grade team requiring its services.
The sole meeting between the two teams was in round two, with a scheduled meeting last week called off due to the heat.
But Maryborough were far too good on that occasion, taking a 90-run win.
Ben Robertson and Kris Bagley led the way with 75 and 45 runs respectively, while it was an even bowling performance, with Pravin Yadav taking three wickets, James Scott taking a late-game hat-trick, and Bradey Tranter adding two wickets.
This will be a good battle between both batting and bowling lineups, with both teams providing some good numbers throughout the season.
With the bat, the advantage goes to Maryborough, who have enjoyed good campaigns from Lachlan Bursill (270 runs), Tranter (229), Robertson (132), Bagley (132), Brad Rowe (123) and Scott (105), all providing over 100 runs.
Clunes are no slouches, and they’ll be hoping the likes of Fred Penhall (164 runs), Mark Jenkin (134) and Rajitha Perera (90, including 78 in his last start) all stand out with the bat.
With the ball, it looks a fairly even contest.
Muhammad Shehzad is second in wickets in the competition, taking 15 for the season, with Brad Stevenson (12), Paul Coon (12) and Josh Dunn (nine) also taking bulk wickets this season.
Meantime, for Maryborough, Tranter (14), Bagley (13) and Daniel Petter (eight) have led the way for the Owls.
