Sport
9 February, 2023
Top spot showdown headlines round 11 of A reserve
With just five games to go, it looks to be a battle of seven teams to determine the final four. Colts Phelans have all but secured their finals spot thanks to a big eight-wicket victory over MKM which also gave them a percentage boost. The Mill, who...
With just five games to go, it looks to be a battle of seven teams to determine the final four.
Colts Phelans have all but secured their finals spot thanks to a big eight-wicket victory over MKM which also gave them a percentage boost.
The Mill, who were wearing their traditional green and yellow in A reserve for the first time, were bowled out for 55 runs, with Beau Govan doing the bulk of the damage in the middle order, finishing with figures of 4/22 off eight overs, while Matt Scott finished with 3/5 off four overs.
In response, Sebastian Borg helped guide Colts to the win thanks to an unbeaten 25, as they were able to reach 2/68 off 20 overs.
Tristan Tack never stopped trying for the Mill, finishing with 1/19 off five overs, in addition to being one of two batsmen in double figures alongside Lewis Patten.
Carisbrook continued to loiter at Colts’ heels in second thanks to a comfortable nine-wicket victory at home against Natte Yallock.
Brook were able to get off to a strong start, restricting the Swans to 2/8 before a 26-run partnership between Lachlan Douglas and Trent Mortlock looked to steady the ship a little bit.
However, save for some resistance from Daniel Vadala, who top-scored with 31, the Swans could not go on with it, losing their final five wickets for 15 runs to be dismissed for 100 in 28.1 overs.
Nick Broad was important in removing the Swans’ top order batsmen, finishing with figures of 4/20 off eight overs and moving to the top of the wicket-taking charts in the process, while James Adam cleaned up the tail, finishing with 3/4 off three overs.
Martin Mark finished off the bowlers’ job when it came time to bat, scoring an unbeaten 56 to lead Brook to 1/104 off 26 overs to help preserve their eight-game unbeaten run.
There was more frustration for third-placed Clunes, as they are still awaiting the chance to take the field for the first time since December 3. Their game against Beaufort was called off due to the rain that fell in the region across Thursday and Friday.
Likewise, fourth-placed Avoca did not take to the field last weekend, sitting out after Laanecoorie Dunolly advised that they would forfeit their game.
Talbot leapfrogged Maryborough into fourth position to keep their finals chances alive thanks to a 90-run win over the Owls.
It was the Isaac Vlcek show at Talbot Recreation Reserve, as he dominated with the bat to top-score for the weekend with 71 in their total of 167, while he would follow that up with 2/33 with the ball.
Karl Gunther played a solid support act, scoring 28, while Jack Kenden continued his excellent all-round season, finishing with figures of 3/15.
For Maryborough, Oliver Cassidy was their best performer with the ball, taking 4/20, while Lumsden essentially carried their batting innings, scoring 47 of the Owls’ 77 runs.
Round 11 is set to be dominated by two important games, with a showdown for top spot between Carisbrook and Colts Phelans at Carisbrook taking centre stage.
Brook have been unbeaten since their opening game of the season, which included victory over Colts two months ago, and another success will see them leapfrog them on top of the table.
In the top four race, it’s an effective 12-pointer for Talbot and Avoca when they meet at Avoca.
Avoca sit a game and percentage inside the top four as it stands at the moment, and another win would almost guarantee a finals spot.
However, Talbot were able to secure victory against the Bulldogs in their last meeting in round seven, and another win will open the finals race right up.
A Talbot win will also give the likes of Maryborough and MKM the chance to claw back ground in the finals race, with wnnable games against Laanecoorie Dunolly and Beaufort respectively.
Finally, Clunes will be looking to end weeks of frustration as they look to take to the field against Natte Yallock, ahead of a crunch final month of the season which sees them play Colts twice, as well as fellow top four rivals Talbot and Avoca.
The Red House Bakery 16 and under grade returned to action last Saturday.
Carisbrook put up a total of 7/189 in their game against Laanecoorie Dunolly.
The Cullinan brothers, Elliott and Atticus, both took centre stage, scoring 52 and 50 respectively in a showstopping performance, both scoring at better than a run a ball.
Cooper Willoughby was Laane’s best performer with the ball, taking 3/19, while Isaac Scott took 2/25.
Maryborough will be defending 148 when Colts Phelans takes to the crease tomorrow.
Sam Thomson and Jasper Trickey led the way, with both bringing up their half centuries.
Colts’ bowling figures were unavailable at print deadline.