Sport
8 February, 2024
Down to the wire at Dunolly
What a fascinating finish we’re in for with this top-of-the-table clash. Clunes requires another 160 runs to topple Laanecoorie Dunolly for the first time since November 2021. But as we all know with this champion team, that is a task easier said...
What a fascinating finish we’re in for with this top-of-the-table clash.
Clunes requires another 160 runs to topple Laanecoorie Dunolly for the first time since November 2021. But as we all know with this champion team, that is a task easier said than done.
Having said that, if any team can back themselves in to get the job done, it is this current iteration of the Clunes batting lineup — one which has scored heavily in their last two games.
Having put together 519 runs in that time, and with a host of batsmen in form, Clunes will give themselves every chance to chase down their target.
Corey Garth will begin unbeaten on 18, while Brenton Jones has been patient in holding onto his wicket, starting on four.
What Clunes do have is reinforcements still in the shed if needed.
Mitch Coppick is playing with supreme confidence at the moment, having scored 152 of his 338 runs for the season in his last two games, lifting his average to 42.3 in the process.
If Jude McGuire can make a return after missing day one, he’ll also be in the frame to score big, having ranked second for the club in the two-day format with 125 runs in his last two games.
Mark Allen scored a much-needed 50 — his first of the season — in Clunes’ last innings against Maryborough, and there are three batsmen who are enjoying some very good form.
Then there is Lachlan Morganti. While Morganti averages 15.1 for the season, he has enjoyed his best knocks against Laane, with an average of 27 from three knocks, including scores of 44 and 32.
The Magpies, however, will be hoping for a good start from Garth and Jones to ensure those names aren’t required until they have a good foothold in the game.
They will need to buck recent trends against Laane if they are to be successful and claim first innings points tomorrow.
First and foremost, 184 is a target that has only been scored against Laane three times over the last four years — with Avoca’s 236 in round 10, 2020, MKM’s 230 in round 12, 2020 and Maryborough’s 187 in round 11 last season the only occasions where Laane have conceded more than tomorrow’s target score since the start of the decade.
In the opening round, the Magpies collapsed from 1/44 to be all out for 63, while in round seven, they lost consistent wickets to be all out for 124.
Add in the T20 final, where an early collapse left them scrambling to make 7/100 off their 20 overs, and it’s an area the Magpies will be desperate to rectify.
Laane’s wicket spread in their three meetings with the Magpies this season is consistent with their spread throughout their campaign so far, with a litany of stars stepping up to deliver.
In round one, it was Daniel Romeo who did the job at the top of the order, taking three wickets, with Joe Lovel providing two wickets in the middle order and Ben Gunn cleaning up the tail with four wickets for no runs.
Lovel was the headline act in their second meeting, taking four wickets, while Romeo, Luke Smith and Sam Bartlett took two wickets each in the T20 final.
That remains in keeping with their profile — with seven players each taking five wickets or more this season, and they’ll be backing themselves to get the job done again tomorrow.