Sport
19 December, 2025
A reserve makes up for lost time after washout
Following round seven’s complete washout, A reserve came back with a vengeance on Saturday with three action-packed encounters.
Colts Phelans 208 def by Avoca 5/210
Avoca survived its toughest test so far in their A reserve return, chasing down Colts Phelans’ 208 with six balls remaining.
When the Bulldogs tandem of Glen Cosgriff and James Collicoat tumbled the Colts to an eye-popping 4/7, it looked as though last season’s runners-up would be whitewashed in no time.
Seemingly dead on arrival, an outstanding 97-run sixth-wicket partnership between Aaron Balzan and Daniel McGregor resuscitated the Colts’ chances of knocking off the ladder-leaders.
Even after Nathan Coghlan took the big wickets of Balzan and McGregor for 39 and 80 respectively, a 58-run partnership between Johno Melton and Riley Govan brought invaluable insurance runs before the Colts were bowled out with three overs remaining.
After taking a three-wicket haul alongside Cosgriff’s 3/28, Coghlan was a staple of Avoca’s run chase, flourishing in his new role as opener to score 86.
An unbeaten 43 from Eyan Habib ensured the visitors capitalised on Coghlan’s outstanding knock, extending its gap atop A reserve to nine points.
Laanecoorie Dunolly 85 def by Clunes 7/257
The Magpies continue to fly in A reserve, moving into the top two with another dominant victory, this time against Laanecoorie Dunolly by 172 runs.
Openers Mark Jenkin and Brad Stevenson delivered an immediate impact for the reigning premiers, combining to hit 20 boundaries on their way to each scoring 61 before both were removed by Jayden McDonald.
A hard-hitting 42 from the in-form Fred Penhall and an entertaining middle-order innings from Adam Clark allowed the Magpies to finish on 7/257, the second-highest score in A reserve this season.
The only team to surpass that total was Laane with their 5/274 against Beaufort Blue in the opening round, with Callum Liddicoat and Steven Dellavedova keen to run down the steep gauntlet.
Laane couldn’t maintain their early momentum after Liddicoat and Dellavedova were sent back to the pavilion, in large part to Clunes’ emerging marksman striking again.
Fresh off taking 5/8 and a hat-trick in round five versus Beaufort Blue, Charlie Erickson dismantled Laane’s lower order, finishing with startling figures of 4/2 from three overs to put the icing on the cake on Clunes’ fourth consecutive victory.
Beaufort Blue 3/94 def Carisbrook 91
An outstanding five-wicket haul from captain fantastic Ben Woolidge was the highlight of a landmark performance for Beaufort Blue, who recorded their first win of the season against Carisbrook by seven wickets.
With Brandon Carter’s 23 placing Carisbrook in a solid position, Woolidge ripped through the visitors’ middle order, removing four batters before they troubled the scorers.
Woolidge finished with 5/10 and three maidens from eight overs as Carisbrook, who were slightly buoyed by a late 20 from David Coomber, were bowled out for 91.
Carisbrook mounted a fightback with early breakthroughs from Coomber and Brandyn Eagle, but an unbeaten partnership from Adam Miller (35 runs) and Lachlan Lee (16 runs) got Beaufort Blue over the line just after the drinks break.
MKM def by Beaufort Red via forfeit
MKM were forced to forfeit their round eight clash on Saturday, handing fellow finals contender Beaufort Red six points.
The forfeit delivers a noticeable dent to MKM’s finals hopes, now sitting six points behind the top-four, while simultaneously shortening the gap between themselves and Beaufort Red in sixth to three points.
Round Nine
This Saturday marks the halfway point of the A reserve season, with teams hoping to enter the Christmas recess with a win in their stockings.
In a crucial battle of Maryborough, MKM can move back into the top four against a Maryborough team keen to re-establish themselves after last playing in round five.
Beaufort Blue’s newfound winning ways will be put to the test when they travel to Avoca Recreation Reserve to play against the top-of-the-table Bulldogs.
Clunes will be keen for a Beaufort Blue upset, as they looked to narrow their nine-point deficit to Avoca with a win against Beaufort Blue’s sister team, Beaufort Red.
Rounding out round nine’s action is a bottom-of-the-table clash pitting Carisbrook and Laanecoorie Dunolly, with both teams keen to prove themselves this weekend.
Colts Phelans, who are currently placed in fourth, are scheduled to have a bye in round nine.