Sport
6 December, 2024
Fierce rivals meet once again at Clunes
Laanecoorie Dunolly will look to warm up for Sunday’s one-day grand final against a Clunes team desperate for a scalp as they play their final game of 2024 at Bull Millgate Oval.
With the Magpies having the bye when the competition moves into the two-week competition from next week onwards, Clunes will be desperate to score a win over a Laane team which has denied them on so many opportunities in the recent past.
However, as often said in this league, it’s a task easier said than done, and Clunes will be required to improve greatly on a 194-run defeat in their last meeting in round five.
In fairness to the Magpies, that day, they were missing the likes of crucial cogs such as Mark Allen, Mitch Coppick, Brenton Jones and Brendan Ingram, and while they were able to call upon a number of handy players from their terrific A reserve lineup, it proved to be a bridge too far as Alex Cook’s unbeaten 116 allowed Laane to dictate terms.
Should Clunes put in a full-strength lineup, it would be a fascinating power game between two lineups who love to pour on the runs.
Laane have been able to make over 600 runs over their last two games, with Cook scoring 196 runs in that timeframe, while fellow recruit Kamaljot Romana has scored 152. Add in Matt Smith’s 77 against Carisbrook, and there’s plenty of options who can make bulk runs quickly.
With their spot in the grand final guaranteed, there could be an opportunity for other batsmen to get their eye in if needed on Saturday ahead of what looms as a big game.
They could be able to promote the likes of Joe Lovel, Zach Graham or Sam Bartlett a little higher up the order as potential options to get some bulk batting time, while Tom Hannett and Tom Hart will be hoping to be among the runs over the weekend.
For Clunes, Anthony Ellis played a lone hand the last time the two teams met, scoring 62 of their 103 runs as he provided an anchor to the Magpies’ efforts, and while it took a good catch to remove him in Clunes’ last start against Beaufort, he was providing good value for his 30 runs as well.
Jude McGuire has been on the march, scoring 39 in his last start against Beaufort, while it’s also important to remember his magnificent 85 in the two-day final against Laane last season.
Add in Brendan Ingram, who scored 53 in his last start, and it will be a fascinating battle with the bat.
Where the Magpies will be hoping to bridge the gap between the two teams so far this season is with the ball, and a few early wickets would get their tails up.
In each of their games so far, Clunes have been unable to prevent teams from reaching 50 without losing more than one wicket, which has given teams a platform to score big, and it will be up to the likes of Brett Coon, their leading wicket-taker with six so far this season, Allen, with four wickets, and Brad Stevenson, arguably their most consistent bowler so far this season, to take early wickets to turn the tide.
In comparison, Laane often have three wickets on the board before an opposition reaches 50, indicating how much they are able to dictate terms before bringing on alternative options.
Whichever opening partnership they run, be it options such as Lovel, who took five wickets in his last start, Bartlett or Graham, Laane are successful at putting big pressure on top-order batsmen, which clears the path for other wicket-taking options such as Cook, who leads the competition with 12 wickets.