Sport
23 March, 2023
Carisbrook and Colts fighting it out for A reserve grand final glory
Carisbrook and Colts Phelans will fight it out for A reserve grand final glory on Saturday at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve. Indeed, it’s a vastly different fight for both these two teams in season 2022/23 — just last year, it was percentage...
Carisbrook and Colts Phelans will fight it out for A reserve grand final glory on Saturday at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve.
Indeed, it’s a vastly different fight for both these two teams in season 2022/23 — just last year, it was percentage which separated the two teams from the final spot in the top four.
History has since recorded Brook as famous victors in the grand final, negotiating through top teams Talbot and Avoca to take the premiership.
This season Brook has taken all the momentum from that premiership win and established themselves as the best team in the league.
Hot on their heels, however, Colts have proven they have the team that can beat Carisbrook, finishing just three points behind them on the ladder.
Both teams recorded impressive semi-final victories.
Carisbrook recorded a 52-run victory over Clunes.
Martin Mark got things started for Brook at the top of the order, engaging in a 42-run partnership with Cole Harris (21) and a further 54-run partnership with Jarryd Coghlan (15).
Mark eventually finished on 60 before he lost his wicket.
It sparked a mini-collapse for Brook, who would soon lose five wickets for just 27 runs to leave the game in the balance at 7/152.
But some good late hitting from Caleb Cluff (28 not out) and Richard Ough (13 not out) allowed Brook to reach 7/184 from their 40 overs.
Oliver Erickson was the pick of Clunes’ bowlers, taking 3/25.
In response, Clunes were off to a reasonably good start, getting to 2/80, with Mark Jenkin (seven) and Daniel Fordham (15) the two casualties.
Fred Penhall’s dismissal on 36, stumped by William Coutts, sparked a collapse, however, and they would soon lose their next five wickets for 25 runs, eventually getting bowled out for 132.
Brandon Carter had a great cameo late in the piece, taking 3/17 to be the pick of the bowlers, while Leigh Koop was instrumental in Clunes’ middle order collapse, taking 3/20.
In the other semi final, some dramatic late-innings hitting from Dean Walker helped Colts Phelans get to 7/161 off their 40 overs, after struggling to reach 100 in the first 30 overs of their innings.
It was a steady start from Colts, who saw Sebastian Borg make 22 and David Forde make 17 to help give them a footing in the game, but for large parts of the innings, it appeared that Talbot still had control.
But Walker’s late hitting saw him make 51 to give Colts equal footing in the game.
Ryan Kenden was the pick of the bowlers for the Yabbies, taking 2/18.
In response, Colts were able to take a constant stream of wickets as their bowling attack nullified the threat of the Yabbies’ consistent top order.
Jorde Bux provided the Yabbies with their best chance as he finished unbeaten on 37, but he was unable to stop the Colts bowlers from overwhelming the remainder of their batting line up as they were bowled out for 126 to lose by 35 runs.
Beau Govan was Colts’ best bowler, finishing with 3/17, while Dayne Baker took 2/15 and Daniel McGregor 2/28.
Which brings us to Saturday’s grand final. Brook and Colts have met two times this season, with both teams taking a victory apiece.
In round seven, a 76-run partnership between Forde and Rhys Wagstaff anchored large parts of Colts’ innings, with Wagstaff scoring 54 and Forde finishing with 49.
When Wagstaff was dismissed with the score on 141, there was a dramatic batting collapse, with Colts losing their last five wickets for six runs.
James Adam was Brook’s best bowler with 3/15, while Dean Nalder took 3/20.
The trio of Coutts (42 not out), Coghlan (60) and Nalder (30 not out) helped guide Brook to their target with ease, reaching 3/153 with five overs to spare.
On a tough day for the Colts bowlers, McGregor stood tall, taking 3/20 off eight overs.
The return meeting in round 11 was an instant classic, with Colts taking victory from the jaws of defeat.
A 77-run opening stand from Brian Knight and Mark looked to set Brook well and truly on their way to a big total, but Colts were able to slow down the run rate in the closing stages of their innings, with Brook finishing on 5/165.
Mark was unbeaten on 67, while Patrick Pritchard was fantastic in causing some damage to Brook’s middle order, finishing with 3/29 off seven overs.
In response, it looked like it was going to be Brook’s day when Colts were restricted to 5/44 in the early stages, with Peter Egan providing the most resistance with 28.
But Walker (51) and Baker (35 not out) helped Colts back on track with a 69-run partnership, before McGregor (28 not out) came in and finished the job with six overs to spare.
Koop was Brook’s best bowler, taking 3/33 off eight overs.