Sport
13 November, 2023
Epic captain’s knock propels Laane to big win over Clunes
CLUNES 124 def by LAANECOORIE DUNOLLY 4/228 A brutal innings from Matt Smith helped propel Laanecoorie Dunolly to a comfortable 104-run victory in the first of two games they played against Clunes on the weekend. The win allowed Laane to hold on to...

CLUNES 124 def by LAANECOORIE DUNOLLY 4/228
A brutal innings from Matt Smith helped propel Laanecoorie Dunolly to a comfortable 104-run victory in the first of two games they played against Clunes on the weekend.
The win allowed Laane to hold on to the Richards/Templeton Cup as a result.
Clunes won the toss and elected to bowl first, to try and take advantage of their bowling prowess.
However, Luke Smith and Tom Hannett had other ideas, and were able to put on 86 runs for the first wicket to leave them ahead of the game from the outset.
After toiling away, Mark Allen made the breakthrough for Clunes, bowling Hannett for 31.
That seemed to inspire the Magpies, who would soon start taking some steady wickets.
The Magpies lead the league for most run-outs this season, and were able to get another one for the second wicket, with Noah Davies and Jude McGuire combining to run out Sergio Rosier for one.
The key wicket for the Magpies was that of Luke, who had made 61, including 10 fours, in an innings where he continued to cement himself as one of the best batsmen in the competition.
However, Jaxon Smyth would strike, with Luke edging a ball to McGuire.
Matt came out with serious intent, and alongside Sam Bartlett, the duo would put on 28 quick runs for Laane.
Lachlan Morganti struck, however, with Bartlett edging a delivery to McGuire to leave Laane 4/142.
But it was all Matt over the last handful of overs, as he played a delightful innings full of aggressive shot-making.
Eventually, he would finish off a torrid innings with eight fours and six sixes as he scored an unbeaten 87.
Joe Lovel was alongside him to finish the innings, scoring an unbeaten 10.
Allen was Clunes’ best bowler, finishing with 1/29 off five overs.
Clunes was shell-shocked by the hitting display from Matt, and needed some quick runs to get themselves a foothold into the game.
However, it wasn’t forthcoming, with Anthony Ellis and Brenton Jones both falling, with Bartlett and Lovel striking to leave Clunes in early trouble at 2/6.
McGuire and Allen had the task of settling down the Magpies, and for a while, they were able to succeed, putting on 31 for the third wicket.
But Rosier came on and was able to strike, bowling McGuire for 14.
Eighteen runs were put on the board before Brady Williams struck for Laane again, with a low-pitching ball that was impossible to defend bowling Allen for 23.
Wickets were falling at a steady rate, and there was one constant for Clunes — they were able to get starts in their partnership, but were unable to sustain it.
Mitch Coppick and Morganti put on 20 runs for the fifth wicket, but Coppick would soon be bowled by Lovel.
Brendan Ingram was next to go, clean bowled by Williams for nought.
Morganti was anchoring the innings with a good display of shot making, while Smyth was also determined to put together a good innings.
Lovel would soon have his third and fourth wickets, however, removing Smyth for nine and Davies for two.
Jarred Russell got in on the act by bowling Brett Coon for four, and Matt would have the final wicket of the day, taking a fine diving catch to remove Morganti for 44 off his own bowling.
Lovel’s 4/37 led the way for Laane, with Williams finishing with 2/7 off four overs.