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Sport

13 March, 2023

Laane battle back from brink to claim points over Colts

LAANECOORIE DUNOLLY 106 def COLTS PHELANS 69 Samit Gohil’s brilliance with the ball was critical in keeping Laanecoorie Dunolly’s hopes of an unbeaten season alive, with his seven-wicket haul helping them take a quite unbelievable 37-run victory...

By Michael Thompson

Laane’s Samit Gohil appeals for LBW, but didn’t get it on this occasion. Photo: 140323 08
Laane’s Samit Gohil appeals for LBW, but didn’t get it on this occasion. Photo: 140323 08

LAANECOORIE DUNOLLY 106 def COLTS PHELANS 69

Samit Gohil’s brilliance with the ball was critical in keeping Laanecoorie Dunolly’s hopes of an unbeaten season alive, with his seven-wicket haul helping them take a quite unbelievable 37-run victory over Colts Phelans.

The win meant Laane maintained an unbeaten streak which stretches back to round two of the 2021/22 season, which has lasted 32 rounds.

Starting the day at 2/34, Colts needed a further 73 runs to not only take the victory, but seal the minor premiership. However, they would suffer a setback in the opening stages, with Brady Williams breaking through to take the first wicket of the day when he trapped Richard Clark in front for LBW for a duck.

Colts were able to shake off that blow for a little while when the combination of Ed Foreman and Rhys Egan were at the crease. Foreman had started the day unbeaten on 10, but was starting to gain some confidence, while Egan provided a level head alongside him.

They were able to get the score up to 3/53, needing a further 54 runs to win, when Ben Gunn’s brilliance ran out Foreman. It was Laane’s seventh run out of the year, and by far their most critical one, as Foreman had to depart for 21 runs.

The dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse for Colts, with Gohil coming on and immediately putting pressure on. Soon, Callum Watts would depart, clean-bowled by Gohil, before Jackson Gordon was trapped in front for LBW.

Suddenly, from 3/53, Colts were now in desperate trouble at 6/53.

Egan and Matt Scott tried to steady the ship, but it was to no avail — Gohil claimed his third victim of the day when he trapped Scott in front for LBW for two, leaving Colts 7/59.

Egan and Luke Tatchell provided a little bit of resistance, getting the score to 68, but when Gohil bowled Egan for 16, Laane had complete control of the game.

They would eventually finish off the job with Gohil taking the final two wickets, trapping Nicholas Henderson in front for his third LBW of the day, before bowling Tatchell to leave Colts stranded on 69.

The tandem duo of Gohil and Gunn were unbelievable, putting on massive pressure to get runs on the board. Gohil claimed figures of 7/13 off 16 overs, bowling eight maidens. His efforts were such that he finished the home and away season second on the bowling charts, in addition to being the runaway leading scorer in the competition.

Gunn, for his efforts, may have only secured 1/15, but from his 22 overs, bowled 16 maidens, highlighting just how much pressure both bowlers were putting on the Colts batting lineup.

With the minor premiership secured, Laane now move on to a match-up with Clunes, and will be favoured to make the grand final, having beaten them three times during the season, while Colts will now have a meeting with Maryborough at Hedges Oval to determine the other spot in the grand final, with Colts leading the season series 2-1.

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