Sport
8 November, 2024
Grand final rematch ready to go
Laanecoorie Dunolly and Clunes meet in a grand final rematch at True Blue Floors Oval.
For Laane, it’s a chance to again cement their status as the team to beat, especially since they are starting to bring back key pieces to their lineup, and took a comfortable victory over Beaufort last week to move to the top of the ladder.
Clunes, in the meantime, are now in desperate need of a victory, with their loss to Carisbrook last week rooting them to the bottom of the ladder, despite some encouraging signs last week.
The batting quality of Laane’s top order again shone last week as a 96-run first-wicket stand helped set them up to make hay while the sun shined last week.
Tom Hannett’s terrific start to the season saw him add to his 61 runs from the previous week, scoring 86 to vault straight to the top of the runscoring charts.
Alongside him, Tom Hart released the shackles and put together his best innings in his brief time at the club, scoring at his customary quick rate and delivering 12 fours in his 63 to announce himself.
All that allowed Laane to make 221 last week, even after a constant stream of wickets fell after Hart’s dismissal.
With the ball, Laane continued to be as economical as ever, with seven bowlers taking wickets last week.
Josh Britten and the returning Daniel Romeo led the way, taking two wickets each, but it’s also a testament to how far their bowling stocks can go, as well as the pressure the fielders can put on.
Clunes may have lost last week, but there will be some confidence that the Magpies can match it with the bat after some solid scores last week, as well as their grand final performance which saw them score 244 runs.
In particular, Mark Allen and Mitch Coppick stood out last week, with Allen putting together a superb 76 at a very brisk strike rate of 138, while Coppick held together the back end of the innings with his unbeaten 54.
Coppick will be one to watch in particular, having earned the best-on-ground medal despite Clunes’ loss in last season’s grand final, scoring an incredible 97 in a knock to remember, and will be hoping to deliver a similar score to give the Magpies the best chance to put together a much-needed win.
The Magpies will need to improve from a bowling standpoint if they are to win, with Carisbrook losing just four wickets in their successful chase against the Magpies.
It’s been a much-different bowling lineup for the Magpies this season but there are still signs that they can compete.
Brad Stevenson has been terrific in opening the bowling for the Magpies, and perhaps has been unlucky to just take the one wicket this season from 16 overs, restricting his opposition to just 2.4 runs per over — ranked fourth in the competition.
Brett Coon has been the Magpies’ main strike bowler, sitting equal second on five wickets at a very solid average of 20.
They will need to make sure they can take wickets at a steady stream tomorrow if they are any chance of ending Laane’s long winning streak.