Sport
17 January, 2025
Colts seek outright victory over Clunes
With the hosts only 30 runs away from claiming first innings points, Colts Phelans will be looking to grab a rare outright victory when they resume at 3/111 against Clunes.
The Colts are currently in control of this contest and their efforts so far have been spearheaded by Max Jackson.
His figures of 5/49 off 14 overs is the fifth time a bowler has gotten a five-wicket haul or more this season as he moves to third for most wickets taken in 2024/25 with 13.
He will also be the key scalp for the Magpies attack when he returns to the crease at 40 not out as he’s currently red hot with the bat in his hands, making 68 and 83 in his last two outings.
That isn’t to say other Colts haven’t played key roles in guiding them to their current position.
Ben Evans and Nick Henderson were also excellent with the ball, Evans collected three wickets while Henderson piled the pressure on throughout the innings, only allowing 13 runs off 7.4 overs as he got two wickets.
The Colts batting line-up will be looking to surpass Clunes’ total quickly and give the ball back to their in-form bowlers to try and get all 10 points.
While the Magpies are on the back foot in the contest, last Saturday’s performance showed flashes of promise that they can limit the damage.
Brad Stevenson and Jaxon Coon were rewarded for their efforts with current figures of 2/29 and 1/22 respectively, while Dylan Davies made it tough for batters to score off him, recording four maidens from his seven overs.
Fresh off his performances in the Castlemaine and District Cricket Association Under 15 team which won the J.D.H. McKenzie Cup, Brett Coon will be high on confidence that he can make a difference for the Magpies.
If the Magpies are put in to bat again, they can be confident that their bats can withstand Colts further attacks.
Jude McGuire was unlucky to fall one short of his high score this season of 39, as he displayed the skills that made him the only Clunes player to be selected for the Maryborough District Cricket Association’s Melbourne Country Week squad.
Before Davies was incredibly consistent with the ball, he executed with the bat, building off his 28 not out for Clunes A reserve in their last match before the Christmas break to make an unbeaten 30.