Sport
20 March, 2023
Laane earn hard-fought six-wicket win over Clunes
Laanecoorie Dunolly progressed through to the grand final thanks to a six-wicket victory over Clunes in a game that was a bigger battle than the scoreboard suggested. Clunes won the toss and elected to bat first, but their decision suffered...
Laanecoorie Dunolly progressed through to the grand final thanks to a six-wicket victory over Clunes in a game that was a bigger battle than the scoreboard suggested.
Clunes won the toss and elected to bat first, but their decision suffered a setback in the second over of the first day when Anthony Ellis hit a ball straight to Ben Gunn for the first wicket of the game.
To the Magpies’ credit, they immediately fought back. Mitchell Coppick came out and played some crafty shots that boosted their run-rate, and Jude McGuire was providing decent support.
But Laane were able to end a 26-run partnership when Daniel Romeo was able to strike, with McGuire holing out to Zach Graham at square leg.
Laane were soon able to take control of the game by taking the next two wickets quickly, with Ashley Gunn and Aidan Thompson out to Samit Gohil.
When Coppick went out for 28, Clunes were in trouble on 5/61.
However, Mark Allen came in and steadied the ship, with he and Brendan Ingram putting on a 36-run partnership to help get the Magpies back on track.
Graham soon took his second wicket, getting the wicket of Ingram, which meant that Allen had to shoulder the load with the tail.
Romeo’s re-introduction to the attack garnered three wickets, with Todd Featherston (one), Noah Davies (one) and Jaxon Smyth (eight) caught out.
Laane’s Gunn took the final wicket, bowling Riley Coppick to end the innings, with Clunes defending 131.
Laane negotiated the final four overs of the day to finish day one on 0/18.
When day two started, Tom Hannett and Graham looked to put together quick runs to put Laane on the front foot, but Clunes were able to strike first when Gunn trapped Graham in front LBW for seven.
That brought Gohil out to the crease, with both he and Hannett enjoying a 172-run partnership in their previous outing against the Magpies.
This time around, it was an entertaining battle between Gunn and Gohil which took centre stage, with the battle between bat and ball becoming a tense one, with Gunn generating a number of tough chances for his fielders.
When Gohil had the chance, he was able to play some good shots, with Hannett providing excellent support.
After a 53-run partnership, Gunn was able to get the upper hand when he trapped Gohil in front for LBW for 27.
Soon after, Hannett was next to go, with Ingram coercing a shot straight to Noah Davies at point.
Despite that being the first catch of the innings, Clunes were still fielding well, and it took Laane’s best shot-making to generate runs. Damith Perera and Laane’s Gunn were tasked with finishing off the game with 46 runs required, and Perera was enjoying one of his best innings of the season.
In an all-Gunn affair, Ben was caught off the bowling of Ashley for 18, with Davies taking an excellent catch at full-stretch, having covered a large amount of ground to get to the ball, with Laane still needing just five runs to win.
Perera and Smith were able to get the job done at the end of the 33rd over.
The result means Laane continue their unbeaten run, and will now look to cap it off with back-to-back premierships when they play Colts Phelans next week.