Sport
9 March, 2023
Clunes looking to seal finals berth
Barring a miracle, Clunes are in the box seat to claim the final top four spot quickly on the second day’s play against Beaufort. Just four wickets are required from the Magpies — the result of a torrid spell of bowling which, put simply...
Barring a miracle, Clunes are in the box seat to claim the final top four spot quickly on the second day’s play against Beaufort.
Just four wickets are required from the Magpies — the result of a torrid spell of bowling which, put simply, overwhelmed the Crows.
Ashley Gunn and Jaxon Smyth were the chief destroyers for the Magpies, taking six wickets between them in just 11 overs of play to close out the first day.
It cemented what was a handy innings with the bat, having made 193 runs.
Aidan Thompson provided a captain’s knock right when the Magpies were desperate for it, having helped guide them from 3/43 to take control of the game thanks to his 65 runs alongside Daniel Fordham, who contributed heavily with 39 runs of his own.
Their total of 193 came despite a batting collapse which saw them lose their final five wickets for eight runs, although as it turned out, it was a complete blessing in disguise.
As a result, they’ll look to clean up Beaufort’s tail quickly tomorrow and secure a finals berth.
For Joel Pymer and Richard Stokes, who will start the day on four and three not out respectively, it’s an almost impossible task — get another 168 runs with just four wickets in hand.
Stokes will be desperate to repeat his heroics with the ball when Beaufort were fielding, having taken 4/34 from 17 overs, including seven maidens. He was their best bowler, and will now look to steady the ship.
The Crows will be buoyed by the fact that they still do have some hitters in the shed.
Craig Grant has added runs at different times of the season, batting predominantly in the lower order, including scoring 21 runs against Maryborough in his last outing, while Andrew Grant has shown some promise batting up the order in A reserve cricket, and will look to provide some more stability should it be required.
If Beaufort cannot get the 168 runs required, they will at least be looking to avoid setting a new season-low in runs, having scored 61 in their round 11 match against Colts Phelans.
However, it appears Clunes are in no mood to give the Crows an avenue to ask questions, and will be looking to finetune their form ahead of what looks likely to be a finals berth.
Should the Magpies indeed finish the job, it creates an intriguing finals clash between the winner of the Colts Phelans v Laanecoorie Dunolly game and the Magpies, having put in two competitive performances in the two-day format against both teams.