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Sport

7 November, 2022

Reigning champs open season with win

LAANECOORIE DUNOLLY 5/115 def CLUNES 6/85 The reigning champions showed that they’ll continue to be a force to be reckoned with in 2022/23, as Laanecoorie Dunolly scored a 30-run victory over Clunes at True Blue Floors Oval on Saturday. It was...

By Michael Thompson

Reigning champs open season with win - feature photo

LAANECOORIE DUNOLLY 5/115 def CLUNES 6/85

The reigning champions showed that they’ll continue to be a force to be reckoned with in 2022/23, as Laanecoorie Dunolly scored a 30-run victory over Clunes at True Blue Floors Oval on Saturday.

It was a consistent batting performance from Laane which helped their cause on Saturday, consistently setting up partnerships which allowed them to always stay in front throughout, before an excellent bowling performance helped restrict Clunes to 85 runs in response.

The opening batting duo of James Shorney and Thomas Hannett were able to get Laane off to the ideal start, with a 29-run partnership allowing them to take some risks. However, it was Shorney that went out for 19, holing out to Brenton Jones off the bowling of Noah Davies.

Ben Gunn was next to go after Laane had added another 14 runs to the total, with namesake Ashley Gunn taking a catch to remove him.

It brought Matthew Smith to the crease, and Smith immediately set about ensuring that Laane would have enough runs to defend.

A quick-fire 31-run partnership came to an end when Hannett was caught by Mark Allen from the bowling of Shehzad Muhammad, giving Clunes their third wicket.

Almost instantly, however, Laane were able to respond, with Zach Graham joining Smith and adding another 33 runs to the total, which ended when Smith was bowled by Ashley Gunn.

Looking for quick runs, Graham was last to go when he was caught lbw by Jaxon Smyth for 20 runs. Nevertheless, Laane had confidence that they could defend 5/115 off their 20 overs.

Davies and Gunn were the pick of the bowlers for Clunes, with both of them taking 1/12.

In response, Clunes had a tricky start when Jones was bowled for five runs off the bowling of Brady Williams.

Mark Allen remained at the crease for the time being, and he set about anchoring Clunes’ innings. However, he wasn’t able to get the help he needed to chase down Laane’s total, with Gunn soon falling after making six runs when he was caught by Smith, before Jude McGuire was only able to make two runs when he was caught and bowled by Joe Lovel, leaving Clunes 3/37.

Allen continued to push the pace, but wickets continue to fall around him. Mitch Coppick was next to go, bowled by Gunn for five runs, and when Allen holed out to Daniel Romeo off Gunn’s bowling for 36, it was always going to be a tricky task for Clunes, restricted to 5/67.

Smyth looked for quick runs as he came to the crease, but was run out for 13 runs, and Clunes finished their innings on 6/85.

The tight bowling of Laane was evident throughout the innings, only conceding five extras in their 20 overs, a testament to how well they were able to bowl. Gunn was able to put in a strong performance with the ball, taking 2/10 off his four overs, while Lovel took 2/16.

Laanecoorie Dunolly will now travel to Hedges Oval to take on Colts Phelans as they begin their one-day campaign, while Clunes will look to bounce back as they travel to Beaufort next Saturday.

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