Sport
13 March, 2023
Clunes fly into finals thanks to win over Beaufort
CLUNES 193 def BEAUFORT 56 Clunes sealed their spot in the finals in ideal fashion, wrapping up the second day’s play against Beaufort within half an hour on Saturday. Needing just four wickets to claim first innings points, the Magpies got off to...
CLUNES 193 def BEAUFORT 56
Clunes sealed their spot in the finals in ideal fashion, wrapping up the second day’s play against Beaufort within half an hour on Saturday.
Needing just four wickets to claim first innings points, the Magpies got off to the perfect start on the third ball of the day when Ashley Gunn took his fourth wicket, a nick from Joel Pymer that went straight to Jude McGuire.
Despite sitting at 7/29, Beaufort decided to play with a few risks, swinging at a few shots, knowing that the game was all but settled. Richard Stokes and Craig Grant provided some brief resistance, putting together a 13-run stand, their biggest partnership of the innings.
That ended when Gunn claimed his much-deserved five-wicket haul, luring Stokes into playing a shot which went straight to Aidan Thompson.
A brief nine-run stand between Grant and Robert Stokes followed before Gunn claimed his sixth wicket, a shot from Grant which popped straight up into the air and claimed by Todd Featherston.
Jaxon Smyth finished up the job with his fourth wicket of the day by claiming the wicket of Gavin Drinkwater, a low shot which was taken well by Featherston, finishing off the game.
Beaufort’s total of 56 was their lowest of the season, eclipsing the 61 they scored in their first innings against Colts Phelans in round 11, while their innings itself lasted just 20 overs.
It also means that the Crows have gone winless throughout the season, despite a number of bright spots, which included Lachlan Oddie’s great individual season, scoring the fourth most runs in the competition and taking eight wickets, Grant’s efforts behind the stumps as one of the better wicketkeepers in the competition and the late-season bowling of Charlie Dyer and Richard, which yielded 15 wickets between the two.
Clunes, however, now move on to a meeting with Laanecoorie Dunolly in the first week of the finals, knowing that their best cricket is capable of putting up a competitive total.
Gunn, with his 6/24 off 10 overs, has found form at the right time of the season, and his haul vaulted him into the top five bowlers in the competition, while Smyth had his best outing of the year with 4/22.
Having made totals of 193 (twice) and 172 in the two-day game, the Magpies will be looking for a competitive effort this week when they host the unbeaten minor premiers in their efforts to make the grand final.
