Sport
13 February, 2026
Owls need historic chase to defeat Laane
Following Laanecoorie Dunolly’s exceptional first innings total of 323, Maryborough will be forced to throw caution to the wind when play resumes tomorrow at Princes Park.
For the Owls to claim an improbable victory, they will have to achieve their highest score since their premiership-winning 2016/17 season, where they defeated the now relocated Creswick Imperials.
Despite happening nearly a decade ago, Maryborough’s round eight victory over MKM includes some recognisable names that will be instrumental to the Owls mounting a challenge to Laane’s target this weekend.
A historic 202-run partnership between Ben Hoban and Martin Dell guided Maryborough to 8/347, with Hoban scoring a splendid 113 to complement Dell’s 90.
The two stalwarts have continued to be excellent for the Owls, each entering tomorrow’s innings with 231 runs to their names this season.
Mitch McClure was also a part
of that aforementioned 159-run victory in 2016. The talented left-hander will be keen to shake out of a recent funk and return to his early-season form, where he scored an unbeaten 30 and 46 in his first two knocks.
Maryborough will likely need to rely on some new blood alongside their established core considering the mammoth task at hand, a contingent headlined by elite opener Oliver Bennett.
Having taken the MDCA by storm, Bennett has also showcased his talents at this week’s esteemed Melbourne Country Week, averaging 48 in his first three knocks.
While Bennett is Maryborough’s only representative at country week, the majority of Laane’s respected bowling attack have been key pieces to the MDCA’s finals push alongside Nafis Shaikh, who scored a stunning 107 in the first innings versus the Owls.
Seamers Sam Bartlett and Josh Fitzpatrick have been in outstanding form this week, helping the MDCA start their campaign with a 3-0 record.
Bartlett almost single-handedly defeated Cricket LaTrobe Valley on Monday, smashing their promising innings to pieces with figures of 5/20 before scoring an unbeaten 87 to will the MDCA home.
After taking 2/51 on Monday, Fitzpatrick was especially potent with the ball on Tuesday, taking 4/24 as the MDCA bowled South West out for 148.
With such a heavy recent schedule for Bartlett, Fitzpatrick, and teammate Alex Cook, young guns Joe Lovel and Will Chamings, as well as spinner Amar Ullah, will be called upon to help alleviate their responsibilities and finish the job for Laane.