Sport
10 December, 2024
No stopping this powerhouse — Laanecoorie Dunolly claim one-day epic over Colts Phelans
Laanecoorie Dunolly are the one-day premiers for a fourth consecutive year, prevailing by 45 runs in what was a high-quality contest and a good advertisement for cricket overall at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve.
The game was due to be played at Beaufort’s Goldfields Reserve, but a late call was made to shift the game to Carisbrook, with Friday’s heavy rain ensuring the pitch was still misbehaving come Sunday morning.
Irrespective, at short notice, Carisbrook were able to prepare a terrific deck and outfield which had plenty of zip.
In a rarity for Laane in a big game, they were made to bat first on Sunday, with Colts Phelans winning the toss and electing to bowl.
Tom Hannett and Tom Hart were the duo tasked with getting runs on the board for Laane, and they duly delivered, putting together 43 runs for the first wicket.
That came to an end, however, when an incredibly sharp piece of work behind the stumps from Luke Tatchell removed Hart, who had his foot off the crease for a split second, but long enough for Tatchell to stump him for 22, giving Ben Evans his first wicket of the day.
Two balls later, a key moment in the match arrived.
Kamaljot Romana had spooned a shot straight into the waiting arms of Nick Henderson at cover, but Henderson could not complete the catch.
Instead, Romana would make the most of his extra life, and started to motor almost immediately.
Along with Hannett, the duo would put on 58 runs for the second wicket, helping Laane pass 80 at drinks.
The 10-over period after drinks was the crucial one for Laane throughout the afternoon, but it was Colts who were able to strike first, with Hannett trapped in front for LBW by Dayne Baker.
That brought Alex Cook out, but it was Romana who was continuing to entertain, continuing his love affair with the Carisbrook track, of which he was quickly looking to pass his 86 that he scored on the ground just a few weeks ago.
Cook joined in the fun for a 70-run partnership and played his role, but it was Henderson who brought him undone, with Max Jackson taking a catch off his bowling to remove him for 27.
Soon Colts just had a little sniff, as they looked to put pressure on their middle order.
Baker had a second wicket, trapping captain Matt Smith in front for a duck, and it was 4/176.
Romana soon had his moment, smoking a shot down the ground to bring up a deserved 100, and he looked to continue on the fun.
He would eventually hit 16 fours and a six in what was an entertaining knock, but it would be all over when he copped a simply unplayable delivery from Jackson — one which skidded low and crashed into the stumps, ending a remarkable innings for 114.
It was the first century in a grand final since Justin Bramble’s 145 in the 2019-20 one-day final, which served as a good omen for Laane as they had also triumphed in that decider.
There was still work to be done in the back end of the innings, but Jackson was not done, and he had a second wicket in two deliveries when he trapped Joe Lovel in front first ball.
Much of the remainder of the innings rested on the bat of Zach Graham, who had provided a handy anchor role to Romana, but was now given some licence to score quickly.
He would finish unbeaten on 30, while Daniel Romeo was the last man out for Laane, bowled by Regan Goundry for four.
Lachie Condie would only face a handful of deliveries, and finished unbeaten on one, as Laane completed their 40 overs by scoring 7/239.
In a sense, it was perhaps an injustice that Colts had conceded that many, as for the large part of the innings, they had indeed bowled and fielded well.
However, it was the dropped catch of Romana on zero which haunted the men in blue throughout the day, while Laane’s aggressive running between the wickets was also a factor.
Jackson bowled superbly for Colts, and was well-rewarded with his two wickets for 23 off six overs.
Evans was perhaps unlucky in a sense to have not claimed more than one wicket, but he also bowled well for 1/39 off seven overs, while Baker claimed 2/50 off eight.
Colts essentially had to score at a pace of a run a ball to take the one-day title for the first time since 2018.
However, their innings got off to the worst possible start, losing the wicket of Rhys Egan first ball, who was looking to play aggressive, but hit the toe of the bat straight into the arms of Cook off the bowling of Graham.
While that was a touch of luck for Laane straight off the bat, they were soon having to work hard to prevent runs, with Jackson and Charlie Scorer putting together a solid partnership.
Both Englishmen went along at a solid pace, although the required run rate was creeping up.
At drinks, Colts weren’t too far behind Laane’s total at the same point, scoring 70 runs, but it was the next 10 overs which were crucial, especially considering it was at that juncture where Laane took control of the game.
Jackson was at his aggressive best as he put together his best score, passing 50 for the first time with Colts.
Laane soon had a breakthrough however, ending a 103-run partnership when Romeo bowled Scorer for 27.
Soon, Cook would give complete control back to Laane with two wickets in a matter of balls.
First, Lovel would make his mark in the field, catching Rhys Wagstaff for six, before Graham took a catch for the key wicket of Jackson, who departed for 68.
From that moment, the game was essentially one where it was a matter of when Laane would win, but Colts didn’t give up.
Goundry and Evans would provide a 28-run partnership, but Lovel would end that stand by bowling Goundry.
Evans would soon depart, bowled by Romeo, while a similar fate would befall Tatchell.
Some late entertaining hitting from Harrison Kurzke would ensure Colts would approach 200, finishing unbeaten on 24, while Aaron Balzan was last out for Colts, with Condie claiming the wicket.
Colts finished on 8/194, playing their part in what was a high-octane, high-scoring game with plenty in it for both batsmen and bowlers.
While Jackson had his measure during the innings, Romeo hit back with some good bowling towards the end of his spell, finishing with three wickets to lead the way for Laane, taking 3/50 off eight.
Cook provided some good bowling of his own to finish with 2/24 off seven.