Sport
25 January, 2024
A reserve resumes, with Owls and Yabbies remaining unbeaten and Mill taking first win
After a two-month wait, A reserve cricket finally resumed last Saturday, with some intriguing results. Beaufort 9/128 def by MKM 6/152 MKM scored their first win of the 2023/24 season courtesy of a 24-run success over Beaufort at Avoca Recreation...
After a two-month wait, A reserve cricket finally resumed last Saturday, with some intriguing results.
Beaufort 9/128 def by MKM 6/152
MKM scored their first win of the 2023/24 season courtesy of a 24-run success over Beaufort at Avoca Recreation Reserve.
The result now sees the Mill sit just one game outside of the top four as a result in what was an entertaining game with plenty of good individual performances.
MKM batted first, with James O’Connor performing well to make 44 runs, helping the Mill get to 2/95 in the early stages.
Tristan Tack was also part of their 60-run partnership for the third wicket, and continued on with the job to make his first 50 of the season, eventually finishing on 52.
The Mill finished on 6/152, with Richard Stokes the pick of the Crows bowlers, taking 3/20, while David Morse took 2/25.
In response, the Crows were led well by Charlie Dyer, who made 59 as he helped them get to 3/109, showing in a 50-run partnership with Harrison Jones.
But Lewis Patten helped turn the tide, taking his wicket to spark a collapse which saw the Crows lose six wickets for 19 runs.
Eventually, the Crows finished 25 runs short of their target as they batted out the 40 overs.
Patten took 4/24 off eight overs, while Joshua O’Connor also starred, taking 3/13 off eight overs, which included three maidens.
Maryborough 7/108 def Carisbrook 95
On an emotional day for both teams as they played for the Craig Jennings Cup for the first time, Maryborough survived a fierce Carisbrook barrage to maintain their undefeated run.
It was the first time the Owls were chasing all season long, and they completed the first part of the equation well by bowling Carisbrook out for 95.
Brad Thompson was a thorn in Maryborough’s sides, scoring an unbeaten 37, while Kris Bagley had a terrific stint with the ball, taking 5/18 off five overs.
Bagley’s heroics weren’t done yet, however.
Having fallen to 4/30, Bagley singlehandedly guided the Owls home with his unbeaten 41 as they passed their target with nine overs and three wickets to spare.
Nick Broad was Carisbrook’s best bowler, taking 2/21 off eight overs.
Talbot def Colts Phelans via forfeit
Talbot will be waiting a little longer to get back on the field, with Colts Phelans forfeiting their match up.
The result means that the Yabbies stay on top of the ladder, while Colts are still just outside the top four.
Natte Yallock 9/92 def by Clunes 5/98
Clunes are keeping their end of the equation as they seek top spot by defeating Natte Yallock by five wickets.
Natte batted first, and couldn’t find some consistency, save for Zac Polinelli, who top scored with 33 for the Swans, as they made 9/92 off 35.4 overs.
Noah Davies and Josh Dunn were chief destroyers for the Magpies, with Davies taking 3/11 off eight overs, and Dunn 3/31.
In response, Clunes didn’t quite have it all their own way to start with, with the Magpies losing three wickets in quick succession after a 35-run partnership started their innings, but thanks to Daniel Fordham’s unbeaten 55, they were eventually able to get to 5/98 off 24 overs.
Polinelli took 4/29 off eight overs.
Round Eight
With all teams now ready for the second half of the season, there are a number of intriguing meetings for the eighth round of the competition.
Maryborough will host MKM at Princes Park.
The Owls will be hoping for a good crowd for their sponsors day against the Mill, who gave them a good run for their money in their last meeting, losing by 52 runs.
In a battle for a spot in the top four, Natte Yallock and Colts Phelans meet at Natte Yallock Oval.
It was Colts who were successful by 22 runs in their last meeting, while this is the second of three consecutive home games for the Swans as they count down to their 50th anniversary next week.
Clunes and Carisbrook meet at Carisbrook.
The Magpies took a 144-run victory in their last meeting in round four, utilising three scores of 40 or more to make 9/228.
Carisbrook will be hoping to make things closer this time around to keep their top-four chances alive, having dropped down to seventh courtesy of the Mill’s win over Beaufort.
Beaufort and Talbot will meet on neutral ground at Lexton.
The Crows were close to breaking their duck for the 2023/24 season last week, but will have a much tougher task against the ladder-leading Yabbies, who took a 117-run victory in their last meeting in round four.