Sport
30 January, 2026
Blandford’s 100 hands Avoca first loss
While several games were forced to be cancelled due to Saturday’s sweltering heat, the Bulls bloomed under the booming sun, defeating the top two teams headlined by Beaufort Blue’s stunning upset of the formerly undefeated Avoca.
Beaufort Blue 4/234 def Avoca 8/197
An astounding 100 from Jarrod Blandford forced Avoca to sing the Blues for the first time since their senior cricket return, with Beaufort Blue taking a mammoth 37-run victory.
With Beaufort’s A grade battle against Maryborough rescheduled to a one-day contest, Blandford slotted into number three for the hosts as they attempted to climb Mt Avoca.
Despite James Collicoat removing Brady Edwards in the second over, Beaufort Blue couldn’t have asked for a better start.
Blandford and opener Noah Scofield evoked the opposite of their team’s namesake and ran red-hot with the bat. The duo carved through the Bulldogs vaunted bowling attack like a knife through butter on their way to a dominant 179-run partnership.
Three balls after Scofield was gone for 76 at the hands of Collicoat, Blandford brought up his century. He them immediately got out thanks to Nathan Coghlan, ending his knock with 12 fours and three sixes.
Lyle Aichroth, Malcolm Woolley and Nick Stabbins maintained Beaufort’s Blue rapid pace in the remaining six overs following Blandford’s removal to guide the hosts to a final total of 4/234.
Facing their toughest test since their senior homecoming, Avoca looked up to the challenge, with Brad Palmer powering the visitors to match Beaufort Blue with 49 runs in the first 10 overs.
Even with Richard Stokes and Nick Stabbins taking two big wickets, the hosts began to develop a case of the jitters as Palmer and Collicoat accelerated towards the target.
Fortunately for Beaufort Blue, momentum Quixley changed when Beau Quixley ended the 94-run stand by removing Palmer for 84.
Dan Quixley delivered the death blow shortly thereafter, dismissing Collicoat for 53 to ensure the Bulldogs fell 37 runs short.
With two wickets on the final two balls, Stokes’ figures fully replicated his impact on the match, taking 3/21 from eight overs.
Beaufort Red 6/94 def Clunes 93
It’s a double dose of delight for Beaufort Red, defeating the reigning premiers for the second time this season to cement their newfound place inside the top four.
The Magpies’ Mark Jenkin and Fred Penhall looked poised to resume their startling form this season with both producing some fine shots early in the first innings.
Beaufort Red quicks Thomas and Harrison Grant has other ideas, combining to collect the first four wickets including Jenkin for 18 and Penhall for 28.
Outside of an exciting flourish from Lucas Fudge, the hosts took advantage of the Clunes’ precarious position with some exceptional fielding, bowling the visitors out for 93.
Young guns Benjamin Grant and Nicolas Stares joined in the fun of the wickets with two each.
Following on from their exceptional bowling performance, Beaufort Red’s run chase didn’t start too well, placed in a pickle at 3/30 thanks to breakthroughs from Adam Clark, Josh Dunn and Brendan Ingram.
Isaac Jantzen got his team out of trouble, smashing six fours and a maximum as his unbeaten 38 guided Beaufort Red to a four-wicket win in the 30th over.
Jenkin and Clark finished with identical figures for the Magpies, taking 2/14.
Maryborough vs MKM and Laanecoorie Dunolly vs Carisbrook cancelled due to heat
The MDCA’s heat policy forced Maryborough’s match with MKM and Laanecoorie Dunolly’s clash with Carisbrook to be abandoned.
The cancellations throws another interesting wrinkle to an already intriguing finals race, with fourth to seventh separated by just three points.
Round 13
With temperatures expected to near the 38 degree threshold once again tomorrow, cricketers will be seeking a cooler breeze so they can hit the field this weekend.
In a Grand Final rematch, Colts Phelans will attempt to climb back into the top four with a win against the team that denied them of a premiership last season in Clunes.
With their A grade team playing at home tomorrow, Carisbrook will have a makeshift home at Jubilee Oval for their massive clash with the red-hot Beaufort Red.
After suffering their first loss of the season, Avoca will attempt to get back on the saddle versus MKM at Ron Sinclair Oval.
Maryborough will be crossing their fingers they can finally play their first game of the new year when they travel to Bryants Oval to play Laanecoorie Dunolly.