Sport
14 February, 2025
Top-of-table clash
A top-of-the-table clash headlines round 12 as Colts Phelans look to keep their chances at the minor premiership alive against Laanecoorie Dunolly.
Many players will certainly be familiar with each other, with nine of the 16 players in the Maryborough District Cricket Association (MDCA) Melbourne Country Week Squad coming from Laane or Colts.
Laane will be looking to shake off the scare Carisbrook gave them in round 11 and return to the dominance we have seen from the reigning premiers.
Fifty’s from Zach Graham and Alex Cook were key in Laane surpassing Carisbrook’s total of 181, complementing their efforts with the ball where they both took multiple wickets.
Kamaljot Romana also excelled with the ball against Carisbrook, grabbing three wickets, and he has continued that form into Country Week.
At the time of production, Romana collected the second most wickets and scored the most runs for the MDCA.
Fresh off the bye in the previous round, the Colts will hope to continue their unbeaten run in two day matches this season, beating Carisbrook and Clunes.
As Laane prepares to face the Colts for the third time this season, one man will attract serious attention from the ladder leaders.
His name is Max Jackson.
Jackson had one of the best performances of the season in round 10, grabbing five wickets before scoring an unbeaten 125 to lead the Colts to a first-innings victory against Clunes.
That best-on-ground performance places Jackson third in wickets taken and runs scored this season.
While he has been the standout performer for the Colts, others have excelled with the bat and ball for Laane to watch out for.
Fellow Country Week team member Regan Goundry is one of nine players who has surpassed 200 runs so far this season, whilst also taking nine wickets with his fast bowling.
Ben Evans and Nick Henderson have also been a danger with the ball in their hands, with 12 and 11 wickets respectively.
They will need to be on top of their game to prevent Laane’s batting lineup from running ragged.
Their vaunted lineup is headlined by Tom Hannett, the first player to surpass 400 runs this season, a landmark only three players exceeded last season.
The last time these two teams met was in the one-day grand final where Laane came out on top by 45 runs off the back of a stellar 114 from Romana.