Sport
25 October, 2024
Impressive scores headline first round of A reserve
A reserve cricket was welcomed back last weekend, with three of the four games completed.
Laanecoorie Dunolly 8/147 def Maryborough 9/145
In the closest game of the round, Laanecoorie Dunolly made a winning return to A reserve with a two-wicket win over Maryborough.
Maryborough have dropped to A reserve this season, but still have some quality players who were prepared to make an impact, and Ben Hoban held together the top of the order with 42 runs, while James Scott made 21.
However, apart from Lachlan Bursill’s 13 and Paul Jardine’s unbeaten 10, no one else was able to score in double figures for the Owls, and they ended their innings on 9/145.
Callum Liddicoat led the way for Laane, taking 2/12 off six overs.
Liddicoat did it all with bat and ball for Laane as he backed up his good performance with a quickfire 52 off 45 deliveries, while Nathan Dellavedova helped guide them home with an unbeaten 29, taking a win with 20 balls to spare.
Hoban and Joshua Cooper took two wickets apiece for the Owls.
Clunes 4/188 def Carisbrook 5/184
A high-scoring game at Jubilee Oval saw Clunes run down Carisbrook’s total to win by six wickets with two overs to spare.
Carisbrook batted first, and after a tidy start, it was the combination of Atticus Cullinan and Bradley Palmer who combined well, putting on 80 runs for the fourth wicket before Cullinan fell for a well-made 44.
Palmer continued on until he was dismissed for 70, with Carisbrook eventually making 184.
Brad Stevenson was impressive with the ball, taking 2/14 from eight overs, while Brendan Ingram also took two wickets.
Clunes made an excellent start to their innings, with Mark Jenkin providing plenty of fireworks in making 62, while Lucas Fudge (27) and Stevenson (46) also impressed, getting the Magpies to 1/119.
Daniel Fordham’s unbeaten 29 helped finish the job for the Magpies.
Talbot 79 def by Colts Phelans 6/187
Colts Phelans took a confident victory over Talbot.
The Yabbies won the toss and elected to bat, but after Ryan Kenden and Scott Cameron made a promising start with 31 for the first wicket, they were unable to maintain the rage and wickets fell consistently.
Youngster Hunter Kurzke did much of the damage through the top order, taking three wickets, including the key wicket of Kenden, who top-scored with 28, while Dan McGregor cleaned up the lower order with 4/24 off his eight overs.
It was Max Jackson who stole the show in Colts’ batting innings, scoring an unbeaten 95 as he showcased his intention for the season ahead, while David Forde also contributed strongly with 24 and McGregor 22, as Colts took victory.
Jag Searle and Jack Kenden took two wickets each.
MKM V Beaufort
Sadly, MKM and Beaufort had to wait a little longer for their season to start, with their game at Ron Sinclair Oval called off.
Round 2
Rivalries will be in vogue as round two gets underway, with a grand final rematch between Clunes and Talbot taking centre stage at Bull Millgate Oval.
The Yabbies will be hoping to bounce back and get some revenge for their grand final defeat last year, while Clunes will look to make it two from two.
Colts Phelans and Maryborough meet in a local derby at Hedges Oval, with Colts looking for a second straight win, and the Owls looking to break their duck for the season.
Carisbrook and Beaufort will each be seeking their first win of the year at Carisbrook, with the Crows hoping to continue their improvement from last season.
Laanecoorie Dunolly and MKM meet at Deledio Reserve in a game that is expected to be vastly different to their last meeting from early in 2023, with Laane bowled out for 12 runs in what was ultimately their last A reserve game until last week.
The Mill will be hoping to get their season started on the right foot as they seek to move off the bottom of the ladder.