Sport
12 December, 2022
Samit smashes 100 in dominant Laane victory
A dominant century from Samit Gohil — his first for Laanecoorie Dunolly and the first of the A grade season — helped guide the team into the one-day grand final, thanks to a dominant 133-run victory over Clunes. Gohil’s 104 runs became the...
A dominant century from Samit Gohil — his first for Laanecoorie Dunolly and the first of the A grade season — helped guide the team into the one-day grand final, thanks to a dominant 133-run victory over Clunes.
Gohil’s 104 runs became the top-scoring innings across both A grade and A reserve throughout the season up to this point, eclipsing Martin Mark’s 102 for Carisbrook a fortnight ago against MKM.
While Gohil was the star of the show, he certainly had support acts help him, as Laane were able to put up an enormous 3/270 off their 40 overs.
It was Clunes that got off to the better start, however, with the Magpies getting their first wicket having conceded just 18 runs, with Riley Coppick clean bowling James Shorney for seven runs.
However, that brought Gohil to the crease, and together with Thomas Hannett, the two worked together to ensure Laane would have control of the game.
Gohil picked his shots carefully for the large majority of his innings, but was able to get off the mark with three fours in an over, signifying the pace that Laane would bat with while he was at the crease.
Hannett, to his credit, was able to keep up with Gohil’s pace, and both were able to hit 50 within a couple of overs of one another, despite Hannett skying a couple of balls which would eventually be dropped.
Coppick would eventually pick up his second wicket later on, but not before the damage was done thanks to a 172-run partnership — Hannett would eventually hole out for 70 runs.
Soon after, Gohil would reach his century, celebrating with gusto to the Laane dugout.
Gohil was bowled for 104 runs with the score on 244 with just a few overs to go, but some big late hitting from Benjamin Gunn, who would score a quick-fire 50, ensured that Laane would reach 270.
It was a big ask for Clunes, who had conceded the biggest total since round 15 of the 2020/21 season, when Laane scored 5/342 against MKM.
Nevertheless, Clunes fought hard until the end. Coppick was their best bowler in the wicket-taker column, taking 2/59 despite proving to be expensive with ball in hand, while Jaxon Smyth got the wicket of Gohil as part of his 1/49.
The Magpies needed to play aggressively from the get-go if they were to be any chance of catching Laane’s total, and got off to a good enough start when they were able to make 24 runs. Mark Allen would then hole out to Daniel Romeo off the bowling of Zach Graham.
Aidan Thompson elevated himself to first drop, given the team needed some quick runs, but he was unable to get going, likewise caught out for just three runs.
When Mitchell Coppick (six) and Anthony Ellis (22) departed shortly afterwards, the Magpies were 4/44 and were practically out of the game.
That didn’t stop Jude McGuire and Brendan Ingram from fighting hard, however. They were chiefly responsible for a 58-run partnership which at least helped the Magpies go from 6/62 to 6/120 before Graham found the edge of Ingram’s bat, leaving him out for 38.
McGuire continued to toil hard, and would eventually finish not out on 30, but with Gunn cleaning up the tail, Clunes would be left all out on 137 with three overs left.
Graham was Laane’s best bowler, finishing on 2/23 off seven overs, while Gunn would finish on 2/31. Romeo, Gohil and Joe Lovel would also take wickets, while there were also two run-outs during the innings.
Laane now progresses to the one-day grand final next week against Colts Phelans, and will go in with great confidence having remained unbeaten to this stage of the season, while also delivering a six-wicket win against the same opponents last month.
