Sport
18 March, 2024
Gunn takes nine wickets for Clunes’ big win
It was Ash Gunn’s weekend for Clunes as his career-best nine-wicket haul spearheaded the Magpies to the grand final, where they’ll be seeking their first premiership since 2019. Gunn’s figures of 9/39 completely overwhelmed Colts Phelans at...
It was Ash Gunn’s weekend for Clunes as his career-best nine-wicket haul spearheaded the Magpies to the grand final, where they’ll be seeking their first premiership since 2019.
Gunn’s figures of 9/39 completely overwhelmed Colts Phelans at Bull Millgate Oval, who at one stage got into a comfortable position, but the crucial wicket of Rhys Wagstaff, which broke an 82-run fourth-wicket stand, meant the result was soon inevitable.
It was also the best bowling performance of the season by some distance, which took over from Lachlan Oddie’s 6/63 against Laanecoorie Dunolly in round 13.
Batting first, Clunes got off to a slow start as Anthony Ellis and Brenton Jones were victims almost immediately.
Ben Stubbings claimed the wicket of Ellis for a duck, while Baker also bowled Jones, and the Magpies were 2/1.
When Jude McGuire was caught by Stubbings off the bowling of Baker, Clunes were 3/11 and in a spot of bother.
But a common theme throughout the innings was the ability of previously unheralded players stepping up with the bat.
Corey Garth was one of them, and in his second A grade game of the season, starred as he put together a 59-run partnership with Mitch Coppick.
Garth finished with 37 runs, while Coppick scored 29.
However, when both were dismissed in quick succession by Stubbings and Baker respectively, the game was back on level pegging.
Mark Allen and Lachlan Morganti were required to steady the ship, and they did so, with Allen scoring 34 as part of a 50-run partnership.
Dave Robinson claimed his wicket, however, with Peter Egan catching him out.
Brendan Ingram had an important innings at eight, and was crucial to the Magpies getting to 197.
Firstly, he shared in a 36-run partnership with Morganti, who made 31 before Baker had his fourth wicket, before putting on 37 runs with Gunn.
In the end, his 47 runs was by some distance his best knock of the season, and even though he departed with the score on 193, the Magpies were left in a good position.
Stubbings had his fourth when he got the wicket of Noah Davies, before Rhys Egan finished the innings by claiming Gunn’s wicket for 10.
Needing 17 overs to negotiate on Saturday, Colts got off to a rocky start, with Harrison Kurzke and Robinson dismissed by Gunn, with Ingram and McGuire catching them respectively.
Soon after, Luke Tatchell was bowled by Gunn for two, leaving Colts in trouble at 3/11 — just as Clunes were earlier in the day.
The pair of Rhys — Wagstaff and Egan — put together 41 runs to end Saturday’s play at 3/52, but needed plenty more work as Sunday started to get close to the Magpies’ total.
As Sunday began, Wagstaff and Rhys played with an aggressive mindset, and it worked, with both batsmen putting together another 40 runs.
The key moment arrived shortly afterwards, however, with Gunn luring Wagstaff into a shot to Jones at gully, who finished with a sharp catch to dismiss Wagstaff for 41.
That exposed Colts’ inexperienced batting lineup to Gunn, who was taking wickets at will.
Baker was gone very shortly afterwards, bowled by Gunn, who had a five-wicket haul, before he claimed Rhys’ wicket for a very well-made 53, with Morganti catching him out.
Bayden Macintyre was next to go, bowled by Gunn for a duck, and when Johno Melton was bowled for eight, Colts were 8/114, with Gunn claiming all their wickets.
Peter would make 12, but Coppick would make no mistake in catching him off Davies’ bowling, before Gunn finished off the job with the first ball after drinks to bowl Hunter Kurzke, leaving Colts 70 runs short.
