Sport
5 February, 2024
Top-of-the-table clash evenly poised going into second day of play next Saturday
The top of the table clash hasn’t disappointed so far, with Clunes seeking a further 160 runs to take first innings points after an intriguing opening day’s play. Laane elected to bat, knowing they wanted to ensure they could set another good...
The top of the table clash hasn’t disappointed so far, with Clunes seeking a further 160 runs to take first innings points after an intriguing opening day’s play.
Laane elected to bat, knowing they wanted to ensure they could set another good score after making 302 and 238 in their opening two two-day games.
However, they were running into a Clunes team which had taken 20 wickets last week, which was always going to make this a must-watch.
As it transpired, both teams had their moments throughout the day.
Clunes struck early, with Jaxon Smyth trapping Sam Bartlett in front for LBW for two to give the Magpies the start they wanted, with Laane 1/3.
But Joe Lovel and Tom Hannett soon put on 30 runs for the second wicket, giving Laane a good platform throughout the opening stages.
Hannett was next to go for 13, with the unlikely option of Anthony Ellis emerging as a wicket-taker for the first time this season.
Lovel and Sergio Rosier were able to put on a further 43 runs as both enjoyed much-needed time at the crease.
For Rosier, this was his best score of the season, while Lovel was likewise able to build a good innings.
But Laane soon had to endure a mini-collapse, and it was Mark Allen who was in the thick of everything.
He took two catches to remove both Rosier for 30 off the bowling of Brendan Ingram, followed by Lovel for 26 for Smyth’s second wicket of the day.
Then, he came on and took the wicket of Nathan Leist for six to leave Laane in an interesting spot at 5/86.
Matt Smith and Zach Graham were looking to build a good partnership, just as they had in their previous game against Beaufort, but after the high of two weeks ago where he made 105, Graham was removed for two thanks to a good piece of bowling from Lachlan Morganti, leaving Laane on 6/104.
Smith and Daniel Romeo, however, weren’t to be deterred, and they provided Laane with their best batting of the day.
The duo put on a 72-run stand for the seventh-wicket as they ensured the Magpies would have a bit of work to do to clean up the tail.
Smith, in particular, was enjoying another terrific knock against Clunes, having made 87 earlier in the season, and soon brought up a well-deserved 50.
But when he was removed a short time later for 60 off Allen’s bowling, it paved the way for Clunes to finish off the tail, with Romeo soon removed for Allen’s third wicket.
Allen had a fourth when he claimed the wicket of Jarred Russell for two, and Ellis had a second when he took the wicket of Josh Britten to bowl Laane out for 183.
Allen took 4/19 off eight overs, while Ellis made an impact, taking 2/33 off 12.1 overs.
Still, there were 17 overs to negotiate for Clunes to make their Saturday a good one, and they were determined to go into day two without losing too many key pieces with the bat.
They didn’t quite have the perfect finish with the bat — instead it was Smith who provided his third run-out of the season to remove Ellis for two.
Brenton Jones finished off the day unbeaten on four, while Corey Garth made 18 to take Clunes to 1/24 off 17 overs.