Sport
6 December, 2024
Laanecoorie Dunolly awaiting winner of Colts Phelans and Beaufort in Sunday’s one-day final
When it comes to Sunday’s one-day final at Beaufort’s Goldfields Reserve, the equation is quite simple — three does not fit into two.
Laanecoorie Dunolly can rest easy, knowing they have already secured one of the two spots regardless of what happens — their game against Clunes one which won’t impact greatly on the one-day ladder, but one where they’ll be keen to continue their unbeaten run, now stretching 54 games.
The other equation is quite simple to work out.
Win, and you’re in.
That’s the simple equation that faces both Beaufort — who would undoubtedly relish a final at home — and Colts Phelans, looking for a passage back into their first grand final since the two-day final last year.
With the two teams meeting at Hedges Oval on Saturday, the end result will decide the final spot in the one-day decider.
A grand final spot would be just reward for one of these two teams, both of whom have taken another step forward so far in the 2024/25 season.
For Beaufort, a win on Saturday would secure back-to-back one day finals, and an opportunity to avenge their loss in the decider to Laane last season.
They were successful in their two matches at Hedges Oval against Colts last season, both played across the same weekend as they broke a losing run which had stretched towards the back end of the 2021/22 season.
However, it’s been Colts Phelans who have tasted success in their last two meetings, both held at Goldfields Reserve, which could bode well if they are successful on Saturday.
A Colts win would mean that it would be a reprise of the 2022/23 one-day grand final, a game Laane would ultimately win by eight wickets on their home deck at True Blue Floors Oval.
Regardless of what happens in Saturday’s big clash at Hedges, where a preview can be found on page 37 of today’s edition, Laane will come into Sunday’s decider as ominous favourites.
Having batted first in three of their four games so far this season, Laane have scored at a remarkable 6.4 runs per over from 152 overs of batting, for the loss of just 23 wickets.
They have yet to be bowled out in any game this season, and accounted for both chasing teams reasonably comfortably this season.
Against Colts Phelans in round three, Laane were able to chase down a target of 132 within 32 overs, with all-rounder Alex Cook stealing the show in his first game for the club, taking 6/7 off eight overs, which included four maidens.
Cook followed up with 37 runs, while opener Tom Hannett was unbeaten on 61 off 96 deliveries.
For Colts, Rhys Egan led from the front with the bat, scoring 36 runs in a hurry to start the game, while Max Jackson bowled well in taking 2/22 off eight overs.
The following week, Laane took care of Beaufort, winning by 107 runs.
Batting first, Hannett again took control of the innings, scoring 86 runs, but just fell short of a century, while Tom Hart had his best innings to date with Laane, scoring 63, as Laane scored 8/221.
Jayden Scotland worked hard in taking 3/46 off eight overs, while Tom Alexander took 2/40.
Beaufort had handy contributions at the top of the order with Kriss Ellis and Alexander scoring 18, while Thomas Grant scored 20.
However, apart from Joe Kingsbury’s fighting 28, Beaufort were unable to make inroads on Laane’s total, and were all out for 114.
Seven Laane players took wickets, headlined by Josh Britten’s 2/20, while Daniel Romeo took 2/21.