Sport
2 March, 2023
Magpies and Crows fight for season in final round
With three teams confirmed for the finals, there’s just one more piece of the puzzle that both Clunes and Beaufort will be seeking to answer over the next fortnight. Although Clunes sit 23 points behind third-placed Maryborough, and Beaufort three...
With three teams confirmed for the finals, there’s just one more piece of the puzzle that both Clunes and Beaufort will be seeking to answer over the next fortnight.
Although Clunes sit 23 points behind third-placed Maryborough, and Beaufort three points in arrears, both teams are playing better cricket at the right time of the season.
Clunes will have been disappointed that the rain last week gave them no chance to chase down Colts Phelans’ target of 235, especially after a fantastic start which yielded 62 runs for their opening partnership.
Anthony Ellis has been one of the Magpies’ bright spots for the year, performing as one of the best openers in the competition, sitting sixth on the batting list, and added another 38 runs last week.
There was also good support from Mark Allen, who scored 34 runs, while Jude McGuire had his best knock of the season, scoring 27 runs.
However, the rain meant that the Magpies were realistically forced to bat out for a draw, finishing on 4/137 from 57 overs.
While the Magpies might be better on exposed form, Beaufort have been quietly improving since their first two-day game of the season — an outright loss to Colts Phelans.
Against Laane, they frustrated the ladder-leaders by restricting them to a first innings victory, while against Maryborough, they were able to hold out long enough on day one to make 140, which ended up preventing the Owls from chasing down the target when the rain persisted on day two.
The Crows have also had their bright spots for the season.
Lachlan Oddie has performed very well all season long, and added to his highlight reel with an excellent 54 against the Owls to take his total to 261 runs for the season, while Craig Grant has been solid behind the stumps throughout, as well as adding 21 with the bat two weeks ago.
It’s difficult to get a gauge on both these teams in this match-up given they have had just one meeting this season — that being all the way back in November.
In round six, Clunes were able to win a tense game by just three wickets, with momentum swings aplenty.
The Crows made a solid start, with Kriss Ellis and Blake Jantzen helping to push the score to 1/42, but the Magpies got themselves back into the game with four quick wickets for just 12 runs.
But Oddie’s 36 helped guide the Crows to 9/134 off their 40 overs.
Ashley Gunn was the Magpies’ best bowler, taking 3/12, while Shehzad Muhammed took 2/21.
In response, the Crows were looking good when they restricted the Magpies to 6/60, with Andrew Grant on fire, taking 4/18 off six overs.
But some good hitting from Aidan Thompson, who top-scored with 27, as well as Jaxon Smyth (22) and Noah Davies (16 not out) ensured the Magpies would eventually reach their target with 61 balls to spare, finishing on 7/136.