Sport
14 March, 2024
Laane stands in the way of Beaufort fairytale
It’s a story of the reigning champions meeting the fairytale story of the 2023/24 season when Laanecoorie Dunolly face Beaufort over the weekend at True Blue Floors Oval. Laane will be determined to continue their unbeaten run, which has now...
It’s a story of the reigning champions meeting the fairytale story of the 2023/24 season when Laanecoorie Dunolly face Beaufort over the weekend at True Blue Floors Oval.
Laane will be determined to continue their unbeaten run, which has now stretched over 51 rounds, and they have clearly been the form team with the bat, scoring 241 runs per innings during the two-day portion of the season.
Most of that comes because the club, remarkably, has half of their best 11 in the top 15 runscorers in the competition, with Luke Smith leading the way with 586 runs for the year.
Tom Hannett has added 370 runs, Matt Smith 359, Zach Graham 317, Sergio Rosier 252 and Sam Bartlett 235, completing a formidable top and middle order, which Beaufort will desperately need to get on top of throughout the weekend.
Arguably the biggest point of difference at the moment throughout Laane’s incredible run, however, is their fielding prowess, and this has allowed many of their bowlers to cash in and take wickets.
The pressure that the fielders put on, not allowing easy runs, has meant the likes of Joe Lovel, Graham, Bartlett and Rosier have all maintained a run rate under three an over with the ball.
Beaufort, most certainly, aren’t slouches, and they’ll be determined to ensure they are able to get themselves in the game early on.
Last time they met Laane, they had a number of opportunities to really get themselves in the game, but were just unable to get key wickets at crucial times.
Indeed, Laane were sitting at 7/157 at one stage, but Graham’s incredible knock of 105 not out ensured Laane would hold the advantage throughout the game, scoring 238.
Indeed, Beaufort’s bowling unit has arguably provided been one of the bigger challenges for Laane, with some good contests throughout the season.
Lachlan Oddie will be key to their hopes with both bat and ball, having taken 26 wickets — including six in their two-day clash earlier in the season, as well as providing 383 runs.
Jack Smith is currently enjoying some good form, having scored 238 runs, while Joe Kingsbury has also had a stellar run of form of late in all facets of the game, adding 13 wickets and 134 runs.
Joel Pymer could also provide a bit of a difference with the ball — he has played limited A grade cricket this season, but has also taken 13 wickets, and has yet to play Laane, so he could yet be a significant X-factor.
