Sport
17 December, 2024
Colts and Brook clash evenly poised
Colts Phelans will require 200 more runs to book their spot in the finals after an intriguing first day of play against Carisbrook at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve.
The Brookers fought hard to put together a decent score after losing two early wickets, and are well in the game themselves.
With plenty of green tinges on the pitch, Colts felt it was a good toss to win when they decided to bowl first.
Early in the day, that decision was very much justified when they took two early wickets to put Carisbrook on the back foot early.
It was Max Jackson who was doing much of the damage, collecting the wicket of Martin Mark when he tickled a ball to Luke Tatchell behind the stumps, before crashing into William Coutts’ stumps to leave Carisbrook wobbly at 2/8.
Carisbrook, to their credit, would soon fight back.
With their two leading runscorers in Dean Nalder and Liam Hurse at the crease, the Brookers were able to get a 39-run partnership which put them back on track.
But Nalder was next to go, with Ben Evans claiming the key breakthrough, luring Nalder into a shot straight to Hunter Kurzke for 19.
Hurse and Jordan Hooper would take Carisbrook through to lunch, and more importantly provided the Brookers with a good platform to score.
Hurse would pass his 50 — his second of the season, but would soon fall for 55, with Jackson claiming his third wicket of the day. Dan McGregor would take the catch to end an important innings.
Hooper was still around, and together with Chris Lee, put on a 28-run partnership.
Dayne Baker was kept for the later overs by Colts, but was called upon with not long left until the final drinks break, and he immediately delivered, trapping Lee in front for LBW on 13.
Charlie Scorer would also get in on the act late in the day, and got the key wicket of Hooper, also trapped in front for 46.
At 6/145, Colts could sense that another couple of wickets could prove to give themselves an opportunity to get into the game with their batting power later on.
But the Brookers fought hard, with Cooper Mark and Cole Harris providing some resistance, and getting 18 runs on the board.
Cooper was next to go, with Nick Henderson taking his first wicket of the day, with Cooper hitting a ball straight to Scorer for five.
Colts soon had two wickets in a matter of moments, with Henderson bowling Harris for 15 and Regan Goundry similarly bowling Atticus Cullinan for nought.
Carisbrook needed a partnership between Lucas Hurse and Caleb Cluff for the tail to wag, and both well and truly delivered, sending the Brookers past 200 when it looked like they would be dismissed for under 170.
Lucas, in particular, was aggressive, hitting four fours in an enterprising lower-order knock.
Cluff used all his experience to protect his wicket, but was also handy in providing 10 runs.
The final wicket of the day was Baker’s, bowling Lucas for 25.
Jackson finished with the best figures for the afternoon, with 3/66 off 15 overs, but Colts were also well served with handy performances from Baker, who took 2/4 off nine overs, which included five maidens, while Henderson took 2/20 off 13 overs, and bowled four maidens.
Colts needed to negotiate two overs to finish off the day, with Rhys Wagstaff and Harrison Kurzke opening.
Wagstaff countered Carisbrook’s plans with an aggressive opening, hitting two fours, while Harrison was also able to finish off with runs.
At the end of play, Wagstaff was unbeaten on eight, while Harrison is unbeaten on four.