Sport
28 November, 2025
Clunes and Carisbrook to battle for vital victory
With both teams on the outside looking in at the finals picture, Saturday’s upcoming clash between Clunes and Carisbrook could spark a late-season surge into the top four for either team.
Carisbrook’s momentous run to the 2024/25 Grand Final began after winning one match in their first six rounds, the same record they possessed heading into their meeting with Laanecoorie Dunolly.
Providing a timely spark, openers Elliot Cullinan and William Coutts placed Carisbrook into a very competitive position with a stunning 139-run partnership.
While Coutts continued his stunning start to the season, last fortnight was a breakout moment for exciting prospect Cullinan, scoring 76 with his patterned aggressive approach, with nine fours and a six.
Even with their blistering start with the bat, Laane comfortably surpassed their set target of 195, with Carisbrook only taking one wicket in 31.1 overs.
While their bowling attack has improved, Carisbrook currently ranks fifth in runs allowed this season and last in wickets taken, dismissing just 31 batters in their first seven games.
Carisbrook’s bowling will have to improve if they want to push for the finals places, currently sitting 12 points behind fourth-placed Beaufort.
Speaking of Beaufort, Clunes can take away some positives from last week’s defeat to the Bulls, particularly around individual performances with the bat.
Finding themselves tumbling at 5/34, the trio of Jude McGuire, Brenton Jones and Dylan Davies rescued the Magpies’ innings with valuable scores, a security of batting depth Clunes have been desperate to develop all season behind Mitch Coppick and Ahmed Rehman.
Despite not finding their way into the winner’s column after seven rounds, the Magpies look to be on the precipice of their first victory since their 2023/24 semi-final triumph against Colts Phelans.
These two teams have played some exceptionally close matches in recent years, none closer than their instant classic back in round five.
Led by fifties from Coutts and Dean Nalder, Carisbrook set Clunes the challenge of chasing down 194.
The Magpies looked like they would get over the line thanks to a Rehman 60 and the efforts of Mark Allen and Brendan Ingram, but a five-wicket haul from Alex Sutton allowed Carisbrook to snatch a four-run victory.