Advertisment

Sport

1 November, 2024

Carisbrook and Clunes seek first win

REDPATH TYRE AND BATTERY SERVICE A GRADE CARISBROOK V CLUNES

By Michael Thompson

Anthony Ellis leaves a ball in Clunes’ game against Beaufort, but he will be hoping to back up his strong form in the opening round with the bat.
Anthony Ellis leaves a ball in Clunes’ game against Beaufort, but he will be hoping to back up his strong form in the opening round with the bat.

Already at this early season juncture, the stakes are high for both Carisbrook and Clunes as the two teams meet at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve.

Carisbrook will be desperate to turn around two games where they have had momentum at times, but only after losing bulk wickets at the top of the order very quickly.

Clunes, in the meantime, will look to harness some frustration in not having played for three weeks — also suffering a bit of a blow in their hopes of getting playing time into players with the A reserve winning via forfeit last week.

The Brookers will be disappointed to have let slip a chance to restrict Beaufort to a low total, having had the Crows 6/125, before some late hitting from Jayden Scotland ensured they would make 7/212.

Carisbrook will be desperate to find their line and length early to get a foothold into the game — 55 of their runs they conceded last week came from extras, which included 35 wides.

The form of Liam Hurse will have pleased Carisbrook last week, however, having taken 2/34 with the ball, before top-scoring with 60 with the bat.

However, Hurse’s dismissal sparked a bottom-order collapse, losing their last six wickets for 11 runs.

Clunes’ sole game so far also came against Beaufort, all the way back in round one.

The Magpies, no doubt, have plenty of depth to choose from across A grade and A reserve, and expect them to chop and change to find the right balance early on, particularly given the big changes to their bowling lineup over the off-season.

Still, there were some encouraging signs, despite losing by 35 runs to the Crows in round one.

Brett Coon looks to have taken another step in his development, taking 4/33 off his eight overs in that game, while Dylan Davies was also rewarded with good bowling, taking 3/29 off seven overs.

Brad Stevenson could emerge as a smokey option to keep the Magpies grounded — his ability to force a low run-rate has been supreme in the early parts of the season, conceding just 31 runs across A grade and A reserve from 15 overs.

With the bat, Clunes’ top order was solid enough in round one, although they will be hoping to bat at a quicker clip.

Anthony Ellis impressed with 38 runs, while Lucas Rais-Colvin got some good time at the crease, scoring 34 runs.

Brenton Jones’ 21 and Mitch Coppick’s 19 were also contributions, but they will be hoping to ensure they can go on with their starts this week.

Advertisment

Most Popular