Sport
16 February, 2023
Colts maintain A reserve ladder lead thanks to famous victory
Just one month remains in the A reserve season, with some significant results coming thick and fast in round 11. Carisbrook v Colts Phelans Colts Phelans made the most significant statement of the A reserve season thus far, ending Carisbrook’s...
Just one month remains in the A reserve season, with some significant results coming thick and fast in round 11.
Carisbrook v Colts Phelans
Colts Phelans made the most significant statement of the A reserve season thus far, ending Carisbrook’s unbeaten run that had lasted since the opening round of the season, and extending their lead atop the ladder to nine points thanks to a four-wicket victory.
Brook had made the perfect start when they were able to coax their way to 0/77, with Brian Knight (36) and Martin Mark (67 not out) leading the way.
They were unable to sustain that partnership, however, and they would proceed to lose five wickets for 88 runs throughout the rest of the innings to finish on 5/165 from their 40 overs.
Patrick Pritchard did some major damage in the Brook top order, taking three wickets while conceding 29 runs.
In response, Colts got off to a good start, making 35 runs without loss to open their innings, but an inspired spell from Nick Broad and Leigh Koop brought Brook right back into the game, taking five wickets between them for just nine runs to leave Colts precariously placed at 5/44. However, Dean Walker and Dayne Baker (35 not out) would steady the ship by putting on a 69-run partnership, which saw Walker bring up a fine 51 before being dismissed.
Daniel McGregor (28 not out) stepped up to the plate alongside Baker to make the 53 runs required to give Colts a brilliant victory.
Beaufort v MKM
With their A grade team having the week off, Beaufort relished the chance to give their batsmen an opportunity to finally click into form ahead of a season-defining final two rounds, and made full use of the opportunity by delivering their first A reserve win of the season by 66 runs over MKM.
Nick Stabbins was cool, calm and collected at the top of the order, scoring 63 runs, while Blake Jantzen was another to shine early in the innings, scoring 39.
However, inspired by Lewis Patten, who took incredible figures of 3/11 off eight overs, MKM were able to get themselves back into the swing of things when they left the Crows sitting at 6/151.
Lachlan Oddie decided to swing momentum back the Crows way in a swashbuckling innings of 63, in which he hit three fours and seven sixes, to leave Beaufort to defend 6/242 off 40 overs.
In response, MKM took the fight up to the Crows in the early overs. With Patten playing one of his best individual games, he added to his great bowling by scoring 69, and helping MKM to 1/117. However, the Mill weren’t quite able to break free from the Crows’ shackles in the second half of the innings, with Jantzen adding to his own all-round great game by finishing with figures of 4/24 off eight overs.
Natte Yallock vClunes
Clunes finally returned for their first game since December 3 against Natte Yallock. However, the Swans were able to ruin the Magpies plans of keeping in touch with the top two thanks to a 32-run victory.
With Ben Williams and Ryan Weir opening the batting, Natte were able to put 67 on the board for the first wicket before Williams was run out for 21.
That triggered a mini-collapse, with Clunes then taking 3/2 to leave Natte teetering at 3/69.
But Trent Mortlock was able to join the fray and, together with Harley Durward, they put on 56 runs for the fourth wicket to shift momentum back the way of the Swans.
Eventually, they would finish 8/163 off their 40 overs, with Mortlock top-scoring with 45.
Brett Coon bowled well for the Magpies, finishing with figures of 4/18 off five overs.
In response, Clunes were unable to sustain a significant run-rate to challenge the Swans. Although they were well served by Rajitha Perera (34) and Thomas Hardy (30), the Magpies were only able to make 9/131 off their 40 overs.
Zac Mortlock took 3/24 for the Swans to lead the way, while Trent chipped in with 2/15, and Durward 2/16.
Avoca vTalbot
At Avoca, Talbot kept their season alive thanks to a 112-run victory over the Bulldogs. A
t the top of the order, Jye Kenden was able to start proceedings for Talbot by anchoring their top order, finishing with 71 runs, but it was Stephen Frys who stole the show. Coming in at 2/76, Frys would score 86 runs, partake in a 114-run partnership with Kenden, and eventually help the Yabbies to score 4/235 off their 40 overs.
Cameron Holland was the Bulldogs’ best bowler, finishing with 2/37.
However, while his bowling was good, Holland’s batting was outstanding.
Holland carried the bat throughout the Bulldogs’ innings, and while his 90 not out in just 19 overs was superb, he was unable to have anyone take part in a sustainable partnership — the next best batsman for the Dogs was Mathew Drummond, who scored 10.
In the end, Avoca would be bowled out for 123.
Karl Gunther dominated with the ball, taking 5/26 off five overs, while Jack Kenden continued his outstanding all-round season, taking 2/23 off five overs.
Maryborough v Laanecoorie Dunolly
Maryborough had a week off thanks to Laanecoorie Dunolly forfeiting.
Round 12
Four games will be played in round 12, with Laanecoorie Dunolly out again, this time with Beaufort having the bye.
The top four meet this week, with Clunes hosting Colts Phelans at Bull Millgate Oval, while Avoca will host Carisbrook as they look to get back on the winners list.
Talbot are nipping at the heels of Avoca in fifth, and will have a chance to get into the top four, provided they beat MKM and the Bulldogs lose.
Finally, Maryborough will also look to take advantage when they play Natte Yallock. A win for the Owls, coupled with a Bulldogs and Yabbies loss, will see them take fourth position.
