Sport
19 February, 2024
Coppick hits first Magpie century in six years on dominant day
PHIL HOOPER INSURANCE A GRACE CLUNES 5/307 v COLTS PHELANS yet to bat Mitch Coppick became Clunes’ first A grade centurion since 2018, helping give the Magpies an enormous advantage after day one of their clash against Colts Phelans. Coppick’s...
PHIL HOOPER INSURANCE A GRACE CLUNES 5/307 v COLTS PHELANS yet to bat
Mitch Coppick became Clunes’ first A grade centurion since 2018, helping give the Magpies an enormous advantage after day one of their clash against Colts Phelans.
Coppick’s unbeaten 109 was the first century since Mark Allen’s 104 in round 12, 2018, which came against the same opponents.
Fittingly, Allen was also among the runs on Saturday, scoring 76 as the duo put on an enormous 167-run partnership to effectively take the game away from Colts, who have a gigantic task on Saturday as a result.
But in the early stages of Saturday’s play, it looked like Colts would take an early advantage.
They were able to snare the early wicket of the in-form Jude McGuire, with Dayne Baker trapping him in front for LBW, and it was soon 2/18 when Nick Henderson and Dave Robinson combined to remove Corey Garth for five.
But Lachlan Morganti was not to be denied, and immediately put together a good partnership with Brenton Jones, who himself was holding up his end of the bargain.
Jones was next to go with the score on 64, however, caught by Johno Melton.
Morganti soon brought up his first 50 of the season in quick time, which included a six and five fours, but was soon dismissed, bowled by Baker.
But Coppick and Allen would soon embark on their big partnership which allowed them to take control of the game.
Initially, it was Allen who was scoring at the quicker rate, but both he and Coppick were doing the job in ensuring the Magpies were in front of the game.
Both soon made their 50, and were looking good to continue on their good form.
Allen was eventually removed for 76, and was Baker’s third wicket of the day.
But Coppick would not be denied, and he brought up his maiden A grade 100 for Clunes in fine style — after threatening to ton up for most of the two-day season, it was finally the breakthrough he sought.
He would also finish the day unbeaten on 109, while Ash Gunn provided some late hitting to finish unbeaten on 16, as the day finished with Clunes putting together a healthy 307 runs.
Baker was the best bowler of the day for Colts, taking 3/63 off 21 overs.