Sport
28 November, 2025
Rivalry set to renew as Laane host Colts
In a likely preview of a one-day Grand Final rematch coming this December, Colts Phelans will hope to knock some old foes off their undefeated perch when they travel to Bryants Oval to take on Laanecoorie Dunolly.
These two teams have been among the league’s heavyweights for several seasons, developing one of the most storied rivalries in the MDCA’s recent memory.
They have faced off in three of the last nine A grade finals across all formats, and they looked poised to make it a fourth decider in as many seasons.
With seven consecutive victories to their name, Laane only needs one point from their last three one-day matches to secure another Grand Final berth.
The Colts have a little more work left to do in second place, but with a nine-point gap on Maryborough in third, they are the heavy favourites to meet the reigning one-day premiers for a second year running.
While games have routinely featured excellent cricket from both teams, Laane have frankly dominated the recent rivalry, winning nine of their last 10 meetings with the Colts.
Extreme heat forced their encounter in the final round of the 2023/24 season to end in a draw after Laane posted 273 in the first innings, the only time the Colts have taken points off Laane in the last three seasons.
However, the Colts were on the precipice of breaking their Laane voodoo earlier this season back in round five.
After scoring 185 thanks to a hard-hitting 66 from Asim Akhtar and a late burst from Ben Evans, the Colts had Laane reeling at 7/115.
Even after a middle-order collapse caused by Akhtar and Jack Gallimore, Laane found a way to get over the line. Nafis Shaikh was vital in keeping Laane alive, showcasing all of his class in making 66.
When Shaikh was dismissed with 13 runs left to score, youngsters Thang Nguyen and Lachie Condie showed poise beyond their years, scoring the winning runs on the second last ball to give Laane a memorable one-wicket victory.
The Colts will be optimistic that this weekend will finally be their time to topple the Laane juggernaut, especially after overcoming Mary-borough a fortnight ago to place one foot into the one-day Grand Final.
Akhtar, Gallimore and Evans made the most of a bowler-friendly wicket at Ron Sinclair Oval, while a composed innings from Luke Tatchell got the Colts over the line with two wickets in hand.
The Colts’ bowling attack will have its work cut out trying to quieten a Laane batting lineup that looks to be coming into form, spearheaded by Shaikh and Tom Hannett.
The duo are currently the top two leading run-scorers in the MDCA’s A grade after their stunning 167-run partnership guided Laane past Carisbrook in their last outing.