Sport
16 November, 2023
Breakthrough centuries in round three of A reserve
Two centuries and some individual brilliance marked round three of A reserve last Saturday. There may have only been three games, but there was plenty of action to go around across all grades. Maryborough V Colts Phelans The highlight was an...
Two centuries and some individual brilliance marked round three of A reserve last Saturday.
There may have only been three games, but there was plenty of action to go around across all grades.
Maryborough V Colts Phelans
The highlight was an entertaining game between Maryborough and Colts Phelans at Princes Park — one which saw almost 500 runs scored between both teams.
The Owls have now moved to the top of the ladder courtesy of their 70-run victory, continuing what has been a high-octane start with the bat, scoring 734 runs in just three games — an average of almost 245 runs per game.
Central to the carnage was Lachlan Bursill, with the Owls youngster breaking through for his first century in cricket, scoring 101 in an excellent display of shot-making, hitting 14 fours and two sixes. As a result, he now sits on top of the A reserve run-scoring charts.
Marc Cassidy also delivered later on in the innings, scoring an unbeaten 99 and falling perilously short of a century for the second time this year, having scored an unbeaten 96 against Natte Yallock in the final round of the 2022/23 season.
In response, Daryl Groves was powering much of the Colts innings in the early stages, top-scoring with 52, but Kris Bagley came on and restricted their middle order, finishing with figures of 3/23 off eight overs to help the Owls hold Colts to 7/206.
Clunes V Beaufort
Another century was scored at Buangor Recreation Reserve, as Aidan Thompson powered his way to the biggest score this season with his 124 as he helped guide Clunes to a 201-run win over Beaufort.
Thompson’s innings yielded seven fours and five sixes as he enjoyed his afternoon at the crease.
Together with Fred Penhall, who scored 68 runs of his own, the duo put on 145 runs for the first wicket, with George Norton then scoring another 53 runs, with the Magpies sitting at 1/271 at one stage before finishing on 3/291 — the highest score of the season so far.
Beaufort did their best to bat out their innings, but Josh Dunn wouldn’t be denied, taking 3/12 across his eight overs in what was a good team effort for the Magpies, with six different players taking wickets.
Andrew Grant continued his good start to the year with the bat, making 26.
MKM V Carisbrook
Carisbrook retained the Spokes-Koop Perpetual Shield and got on the board for the first time this season thanks to a four-wicket win over MKM at Mr Mobility Oval.
The Mill were in trouble after a solid start, with Jithin Aby Thomas scoring 33, but were 8/83 before some late hitting from Kushal Khamar (22) and Mark Jolly (10) helped them get to 130 all out off their 40 overs.
Aaron Purcell took 3/17 off six overs, while William Morrison took 2/17.
In response, Brook made a solid enough start, with Brian Knight (15), Elliot Cullinan (17) and Simon Morrison (10) all in double figures, but it wasn’t until Jarryd Coghlan came out that Brook were in genuine control.
His 32 helped Brook reach their target with two overs to spare.
Muhammad Haseeb Khan took 2/24, while Bradley Reeves took 2/26.
Round Four
All eight teams are back in action for the weekend of cricket, with Colts Phelans hosting the unbeaten Natte Yallock at Hedges Oval.
After a week off, the Swans will be looking to continue on with their winning ways as they establish themselves as a contender.
Maryborough will also look to continue their hot form with the bat as they take on MKM at Mr Mobility Oval.
The Owls will be looking to continue their scorching-hot start, boasting four of the top 10 run-scorers in the competition, while the Mill will be desperate to get on the board.
Another unbeaten team in the form of Talbot will be favoured to get the job done against Beaufort.
The Yabbies have been strong to start the season, while the Crows have been brave in their three innings so far, despite their relative inexperience.
Carisbrook and Clunes face off in an important match for both teams’ prospects.
Clunes will be determined to maintain their spot in the top four, while Brook will move to equal points with the Magpies if they can secure the win.
