Sport
2 December, 2025
Carisbrook snatch vital win over Clunes
Carisbrook has shortened the gap between itself and the top four with another tight victory over Clunes by 34 runs.
Powered by another outstanding fifty from rising star Elliot Cullinan, Carisbrook set the Magpies a challenge of reaching 164 at Bull Millgate Oval.
After breaking a solid opening partnership, Carisbrook’s bowling attack showcased some long-awaited bite, with a middle-order collapse caused by Brayden Wright setting Carisbrook for victory.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first, with the in-form pairing of William Coutts and Elliot Cullinan looking to replicate their 139-run partnership against Laanecoorie Dunolly a fortnight ago.
The MDCA’s leading wicket-taker, Noah Davies, had other ideas, knocking down the castle of Coutts for one to have the Magpies up and about with an early wicket.
Having to navigate a major setback, Elliot Cullinan and Jordan Hooper weathered the early storm, with Hooper providing the stability to allow Cullinan to remain expansive with his shot selection.
After playing such a crucial role in Carisbrook’s Grand Final push last season, Ritik Yadav began to haunt his former team, trapping Hooper in front for an LBW dismissal after he scored 20.
Ending Carisbrook’s second-wicket partnership at 83 runs, Yadav wasn’t done causing headaches, taking the big wicket of Dean Nalder for five with a catch from Brett Coon.
The stampede of wickets continued for Clunes, with Elliot Cullinan quickly joining Nalder in the pavilion, hitting a Brock Twentyman delivery to Mitch Coppick to end another entertaining innings at 62 that included six fours and a six.
Carisbrook went from a solid position at 1/87 to suddenly crumbling to 4/99, with Wright and Axel Purcell now tasked with hitting some late runs.
Wright would add seven to the total before being bowled by Yadav, who collected his third wicket.
Ahmed Rehman joined in the fun shortly thereafter, ending Atticus Cullinan’s cameo at six thanks to a catch by Noah Davies before combining with wicketkeeper Jude McGuire to stump Purcell for three.
With Carisbrook now at 7/123, the new pairing of Christopher Lee and Cole Harris got the tail to wag until Harris hit a Noah Davies ball to fellow Davies, Dylan, caught for 10.
Despite that wicket, Carisbrook continued to finish strongly thanks to Lee and Martin Mark, who finished not out on 21 and 10 respectively to guide the visitors to a final total of 8/163.
Yadav was at his best against his former teammates, taking 3/15 from eight overs while Noah Davies and Rehman also took two wickets each.
Clunes continued their experimentation with their batting lineup, sending the aggressive batting duo of Yadav and Noah Davies to attack Carisbrook’s bowling stocks early.
The plan seemed to be working, with the opening partnership rapidly making 44 runs with the help of a combined six boundaries.
Just as the Magpies looked poised to seize control, Atticus Cullinan and Lucas Hurse combined to remove both openers in quick succession, with Cullinan dismissing Noah Davies for 12 with a catch from Harris and Hurse sending Yadav packing after an entertaining 26 following a grab from wicketkeeper Coutts.
Hurse quickly added a second breakthrough when Anthony Ellis was caught by Atticus Cullinan for six, putting the Magpies at 3/52.
Clunes’ two leading run-scorers, Rehman and Coppick, were now in the middle, hoping to steer their team to an elusive victory.
The duo looked to be in fine touch until Nalder got rid of Rehman for seven thanks to a catch by Mark.
Even with the stinging removal of Rehman, the Magpies were in good hands with Coppick and McGuire in the middle, with the match proving too close to call.
Then, the match suddenly turned into a Brayden Wright bowling masterclass.
Channeling his three-wicket performance against Clunes back in round five, Wright removed McGuire for two with an LBW dismissal to have Clunes at 5/85.
The Wright parade continued when he collected the wicket of Mark Allen for five in the same mode as McGuire, then placed Carisbrook in the driver’s seat by ejecting Dylan Davies for one thanks to a catch from Nalder.
Coppick was desperately trying to keep the Magpies’ run chase alive, but Wright was meticulously picking off his partners, ending Ben Handley’s innings at five when he was caught by Hooper.
With the Magpies staggering at 8/122, Carisbrook went in for the kill, with Hooper bowling Coon for a duck to take them one wicket away from victory.
As Coppick tried to generate a late rally, Atticus Cullinan ended the match in style, bowling Coppick for a top score of 46.
Wright was crucial to Carisbrook’s victory, ending up with 4/13 and three maidens from eight overs.