Sport
16 March, 2023
Finals time for A reserve, with Brook, Colts, Yabbies and Magpies in it to win it
It was the final round of cricket before the A reserve finals, with three games being played to round out the home and away campaign. Colts Phelans V Clunes Colts Phelans warmed up for their meeting with Talbot by taking a 16-run victory over...
It was the final round of cricket before the A reserve finals, with three games being played to round out the home and away campaign.
Colts Phelans V Clunes
Colts Phelans warmed up for their meeting with Talbot by taking a 16-run victory over Clunes.
It was a remarkably even game, with no one player taking complete control of the contest — instead, it was Colts who had a slightly more even contribution than the Magpies.
Colts had four players make above 20 runs, with Dean Walker top-scoring with 28, while Grant Rogers (25), Harrison Kurzke (23) and Peter Egan (21) also helping as Colts made 6/151.
Brett Coon took 2/28 to lead the way for Clunes, while four other Magpies took wickets.
In response, 30 from Bradley Stevenson and 28 from the in-form Rajitha Perera wasn’t quite enough as Clunes were restricted to 7/135 from their 40 overs.
Dayne Baker took 2/24 for Colts, while five players took a wicket apiece.
Both teams will be playing finals, with Colts to host Talbot at Princes Park, while Clunes will be travelling to play Carisbrook.
Maryborough V MKM
Maryborough took fifth place on the ladder after recording a solid win over MKM.
The Mill found it hard to get away from the Owls’ tight bowling, with Craig Horner showing solid resistance with 33, while Jonathan Melton added 15, as they made 7/78 from 40 overs.
Bradey Tranter took 3/11, while Craig Jennings took 2/14.
In response, Jake Postle’s 42 helped guide the Owls to the win, as they were able to make 5/88 off 16 overs.
Mohammed Haseeb Khan had a good outing, taking 3/16 to lead the way for the Mill.
The result means the Mill finish off the season in eighth place.
Natte Yallock V Beaufort
In what was a scrappy affair, Natte Yallock took full points thanks to a four-wicket win over Beaufort.
A steady stream of wickets saw the Crows make 61 off 32.3 overs, with Nathan Elford and Harrison Grant scoring 13 apiece to top score.
Alan Streeter took 4/15, while Jye Mortlock took 3/23 to lead the way for the Swans.
In response, Ryan Weir’s 27 helped set the Swans on their way, but Malcolm Woolley was inspired, taking 3/2 off four overs to give the Crows a chance.
However, the Swans proved too good, and reached 6/64 off 23 overs to take the win.
It meant that the Swans finished off the year in seventh, while the Crows finished ninth.
Semi finals
Carisbrook, Colts Phelans, Talbot and Clunes are the four teams left standing.
Carisbrook will host Clunes at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve, and, apart from wanting to take another step towards back-to-back premierships, Brook will also be determined to reverse their loss in round two.
On that occasion, Fred Penhall (37), Thomas Hardy (35) and Dylan Davies (29) were three big contributors, while six other Magpies made above 10 runs as they finished on 9/196.
Nick Broad took 3/41, while Leigh Koop and Cole Harris were also multiple wicket-takers, with 2/23 and 2/56 respectively.
Carisbrook were unable to make inroads on Clunes’ score, with Jarryd Coghlan’s 24 and Broad’s 21 their best in their innings of 139.
Paul Coon took 3/24, while Stevenson’s 2/20 and Davies’ 2/25 were also telling.
The other semi-final sees Colts Phelans and Talbot face off.
The two teams have met twice this year, with Colts victorious on both occasions.
In round five, Talbot were bowled out for 93, with Karl Gunther providing the most resistance with 41 not out.
Callum Watts, David Forde and Ethan Chaplin took two wickets each.
Matt Scott’s 30 helped guide Colts to their target, eventually finishing on 5/105 from 20 overs.
Anton Roche took two wickets for the Yabbies to lead the way.
The return meeting in round nine saw Colts utilise an 89-run opening partnership between Rhys Wagstaff and Scott to finish on 6/209, with Wagstaff scoring 66 and Scott 44.
Jack Kenden bowled well for Talbot, taking 3/46.
The Yabbies were unable to get to Colts’ total, scoring 129.
Jag Searle led the way, scoring 23, while four other Yabbies scored more than 10.
Chaplin led the way with 3/20 for Colts, while Dan McGregor, Kurzke and Jackson Gordon took two wickets apiece.
The winners of both semis will progress through to the grand final next Saturday, which is due to be played at Carisbrook.