Sport
16 December, 2025
Tom Hart century powers Laane past Clunes
A Hart-stopping 105 not out from the electrifying Tom Hart has knocked Laanecoorie Dunolly to a nine-wicket victory over Clunes.
After averaging 15.8 runs in his first seven innings, Saturday’s outstanding knock was a return to form for Hart, posting his first hundred since joining Laane from Maryborough last season.
The ladder-leaders elected to send the hosts in to bat after winning the toss, hoping Joe Lovel and Sam Bartlett can make some early inroads in to a Magpies batting lineup that underwent a slight rebrand after their defeat to Colts Phelans.
Leading the reshuffle was the new opening partnership of Anthony Ellis and Mark Allen, with the pair navigating the first few overs unscathed until Ellis popped a Lovel delivery right to Josh Fitzpatrick, gone for two.
Clunes quickly recovered from the major early setback thanks to captain and leading run-scorer Mitch Coppick joining Allen in the middle.
Allen in particular looked in exceptional touch, routinely dispatching deliveries with beautiful cover drives that flew past the heavy off-side field to allow the duo to reach the 50 partnership.
Following a pace bombardment from Lovel, Bartlett, Fitzpatrick and Will Chamings for the majority of the first session, the introduction of spinner Alex Cook got Laane their long-awaited breakthrough as Allen was caught by wicketkeeper Lachie Condie.
Allen’s well-made 42 with eight fours put the Magpies in a controllable position at 2/71, setting the stage for Ahmed Rehman to recapture his early-season form alongside Coppick.
Just as the new partnership, which has been so fruitful for Clunes this season, seemed to be settled, Cook struck again, this time hooking the big fish of Coppick when he was caught by Bartlett for 33.
With Coppick now back in the pavilion, Laane ruthlessly pounced on their opposition, running out the returning Jude McGuire for four and removing Rehman for 14 thanks to Bartlett catching a Lovel delivery.
With the Magpies rapidly 5/109 after losing three prized wickets for 12 runs, Brett Coon was keen to replicate his hard-hitting 50 in round nine against the Colts and prevent a further collapse alongside Lucas Fudge.
The pair added a valuable 23 runs to the total before Fudge was run out for nine.
Coon ensured the Magpies’ tail continued to wag, working his way to 25 before being dismissed by Nafis Shaikh thanks to a catch from Cook.
Brendan Ingram was the final wicket of Clunes’ innings, run out for three as the hosts reached their allotted 40 overs on 8/152, with Dylan and Noah Davies unbeaten on four and two respectively.
Cook played an instrumental role in halting Clunes’ momentum during a critical juncture of the innings, finishing with 2/20 and two maidens from eight overs.
After taking 3/21 against the Magpies in the opening round, Lovel continues to be a thorn in the Magpies’ side, finishing with 2/28 from seven overs.
After recently being shifted to the middle-order, Hart returned to opening duties alongside Fitzpatrick as Laane set their sights on chasing down 153.
However, it was the Magpies who got the innings off to a dream start as Dylan Davies sent the fast-starting Fitzpatrick packing for nine with the help of a catch from Coon.
The MDCA’s leading run-scorer, Shaikh, was keen to keep his sensational form going ahead of Laane’s white-ball season finale, but he didn’t have to do much as Hart was playing like he was holding a super-sized cricket bat made of titanium.
No matter who the Magpies threw his way, Hart dispatched them all over the ground, rapidly putting the game out of Clunes’ grasp.
Hart put the exclamation point on an astounding knock that included 13 fours and three sixes by reaching his century as Laane completed the run chase inside 19 overs.
Shaikh finished unbeaten on 27 alongside Hart’s 105 not out as Laane look primed to tackle the one-day Grand Final against Colts Phelans this Saturday.
Dylan Davies was a bright spot for the Magpies’ bowling attack, taking 1/23 from five overs.