Sport
12 October, 2023
Grand final rematch takes centre stage
Impressive round one winners Laanecoorie Dunolly and Colts Phelans meet at True Blue Floors Oval tomorrow in the first meeting since their two-day grand final in March. Both teams come into this one having been successful in their semi-final...
Impressive round one winners Laanecoorie Dunolly and Colts Phelans meet at True Blue Floors Oval tomorrow in the first meeting since their two-day grand final in March.
Both teams come into this one having been successful in their semi-final rematches from last season, with Laane taking a convincing seven-wicket victory over Clunes to make it 34 without defeat, while Colts Phelans’ defensive bowling impressed in their 39-run win over Maryborough.
The reigning premiers are looking as sharp as ever in the early stages, particularly after they were able to dismantle the Magpies’ batting lineup after the key wicket of Lachlan Morganti, taking nine wickets for just 19 runs in dismissing the Magpies for 63.
That came about thanks to the work of Ben Gunn, Daniel Romeo and Joe Lovel.
Gunn may have taken the final four wickets, but his first over of bowling was arguably the most important over of the game.
Coming after Morganti had carted Lovel for 17 runs in an over, Gunn was able to slow the pace by bowling the first of three maiden overs, which then led to Romeo collecting the wicket of Morganti at the other end as the Magpies tried to push the pace.
From there, Romeo, Lovel and Gunn all combined to quickly finish the innings, with Gunn finishing with 4/0 off 3.1 overs, while Romeo took 3/15 and Lovel, who recovered impressively after being taken to all parts of Jubilee Oval in his first over, finishing with 2/22.
Laane will also be thrilled that new recruit Sam Bartlett fitted in well, opening both the batting and bowling.
Bartlett went without success with the ball, but bowled economically, while with the bat, he looked assured for his unbeaten 28.
Laane will now be looking to turn the wick up against a Colts team who bowled very well themselves in holding Maryborough to just 60 runs.
In particular, the leadership of Dayne Baker in his first game as captain showed, as he was able to keep runs to a minimum, bowling 2/3 off four overs, which included two maidens.
New English recruit Dave Robinson and Dan McGregor were also in on the act, taking two wickets apiece.
With the bat, there is still some work to do, especially given this is an enormously re-worked squad from the one which finished as runner-up last year, however, they do have the pieces to give Laane a run if they play with discipline.
Rhys Wagstaff held up his end at the top of the order with his 21, as did Robinson with 15, while Bayden Macintyre provided some excellent late hitting to finish with 16 crucial runs at the bottom of the order.
They will be looking for the likes of Sebastian Borg and Luke Tatchell to get runs in order to give themselves the best chance of ending Laane’s winning run.