Sport
13 December, 2024
Little separates top teams in A reserve
Just one round remains in A reserve for 2024, while the halfway point of the season has officially been reached in one of the tightest races in some time.
Maryborough 8/158 def MKM 82
Maryborough remains on top, but by one of the barest margins seen — just 0.003 quotient separates them and Colts Phelans, despite scoring a comfortable 76-run win over MKM at Princes Park.
The Mill won the toss and elected to bowl first, and it looked as though they would restrict Maryborough to a low total, with the Owls sitting on 7/112 with a handful of overs to go.
But Ben Hoban was a thorn in the Mill’s side, going unbeaten throughout the innings in scoring 68 runs, while Paul Jardine played his part with some late hitting to ensure the Owls got to 8/158.
Joshua O’Connor took 3/30, while Muhammed Haseeb Khan took 2/33 and Tibin Michael 2/27.
In response, the Mill got off to a great start in getting to 35 without loss, but Jason Hunt soon stamped his authority on the game with the ball.
Hunt was destructive as he tore apart the Mill’s top and middle order, taking five wickets.
Haseeb Khan and Jarrod Nedelkovski provided some resistance in scoring 26 and 22 respectively, but it was the Owls’ day as they restricted the Mill to 82.
Hunt took 5/22 off eight overs, while Kaleb Jardine took 2/5 off three.
Beaufort 79 def by Colts Phelans 8/193
Colts Phelans closed in on the top of the ladder thanks to a convincing 114-run win at Buangor.
The game was moved from Goldfields Reserve on Saturday morning, but that didn’t deter Colts, as they motored after being sent in by the Crows.
Aaron Balzan and David Forde’s 119-run third-wicket partnership was key for Colts, with Balzan top scoring with 73 and Forde making 55.
However, Ben Woolidge would do some damage late in the innings for the Crows as Colts lost six wickets for 29 runs.
Woolidge finished with figures of 4/11 off six overs as Colts made 8/193.
In response, Forde continued his hot form from his batting innings with the ball, taking three early wickets to ensure Colts would always be in front.
Noah Scofield provided some resistance with his 24 runs, while Woolidge scored 16, but they would be the only scorers in double figures for the Crows as they were bowled out for 79.
Forde finished with 3/36, while Hunter Kurzke (3/14) and Graham Taylor (3/8) continued their good form with the ball.
Talbot 3/133 def Clunes 8/132
Talbot are into the top four for the first time this season after disposing of an undermanned Clunes by seven wickets at Talbot Recreation Reserve.
Clunes won the toss and decided to bat first, and through Lucas Fudge, would get off to a good start.
Fudge, along with Josh Dunn, would get the Magpies to 3/115, but Dunn’s dismissal helped shape the game Talbot’s way.
After the key wicket of Fudge for 83 fell, the Yabbies restricted the Magpies to 132.
Jag Searle was in the thick of things, taking 2/26 off eight overs, while Isaac Vlcek took 3/3 off just 1.5 overs.
Through Ryan Kenden, who was unbeaten for 63, the Yabbies did it largely with ease in chasing the total down in 19 overs as they moved to fourth position on the ladder.
Carisbrook 8/137 def Laanecoorie Dunolly 47
Carisbrook supplied one of the upsets of the year so far as a Nick Broad-inspired spell helped Carisbrook roll Laanecoorie Dunolly for 47, moving them within striking distance of the top four.
The Brookers were sent in to bat at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve, and did enough to make 137, with seven batsmen finishing in double figures, with league-leading runscorer Elliot Cullinan scoring 22, while Jarryd Coghlan and James Adam scored 19 apiece.
Jayden McDonald, with 2/11 off five, and the returning Nathan Leist, who took 2/28, were multiple wicket-takers for Laane.
When it came time to bowl, Broad and David Coomber were the chief destroyers, combining for the first seven wickets.
Broad took 5/26 off eight overs, while Coomber took 3/12 off five.
Axel Purcell joined in later on, taking 2/9 off 2.2 overs.
Round Eight
With the final round before Christmas comes a number of important games.
Maryborough’s status as top dog will be on the line when they host Laanecoorie Dunolly at Princes Park.
Laane have already taken one victory against the Owls this season with their round one success on their home deck, and will look to do the double, given they have now fallen outside the top four.
A crucial game at Hedges sees second-placed Colts Phelans hosting third-placed Clunes.
With the A grade Magpies having the bye, the Magpies could take an opportunity to have a number of players get their eye in, while also giving them depth in a key game after going undermanned last week.
Meantime, Colts will be hoping to get a big win to move to the top of the ladder for the Christmas and New Year break.
With Carisbrook’s win seeing them move to within one game of the top four, their matchup against Beaufort will be one of great importance for the Brookers, while the Crows are still seeking their first win of the season.
Talbot will be hoping to take their new-found status in the top four up a notch when they make the short trip to Ron Sinclair Oval to take on MKM.
The Mill are in need of a win to keep in touch with the top four, and a success here could see them move to as little as half a game behind fourth.