Sport
8 February, 2024
Unexpected results swing round nine of A reserve
A reserve saw a new leader rise to the top on what was a dramatic weekend of cricket, with the top three now separated entirely by quotient. Clunes 7/182 def Beaufort 9/146 Clunes moved to the top of the ladder thanks to a 36-run victory against...
A reserve saw a new leader rise to the top on what was a dramatic weekend of cricket, with the top three now separated entirely by quotient.
Clunes 7/182 def Beaufort 9/146
Clunes moved to the top of the ladder thanks to a 36-run victory against a gallant Beaufort outfit.
Batting first at Bull Millgate Oval, it was Fred Penhall who did much of the work to help guide Clunes to their total of 182, scoring 78 in an excellent innings.
Brad Stevenson scored 21, while Denis Bacon scored 18.
For Beaufort, Richard Stokes led the way with 2/16 off his eight overs. When it came time for the Crows to bat, Nick Stabbins provided a good platform, scoring 38 before he was run-out, while Andrew Grant scored 22, but despite batting out the 40 overs, they fell short, scoring 9/146.
Paul Coon took 2/28 for Clunes, while Muhammad Shehzad continued his consistent season, taking 2/37.
Carisbrook 3/171 def MKM 170
An excellent breakout innings from Elliot Cullinan, as well as Brad Thompson’s experience, helped Carisbrook maintain their hold of the Spokes/Koop Memorial Shield with a seven-wicket win over MKM in a high-scoring game at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve.
The Mill batted first, with Lewis Patten providing a whirlwind 55 in an excellent innings to help them get to 100, before some good late hitting from Kushal Khamar, Josh O’Connor and Bradley Reeves, who was unbeaten on 26, helped get them to 170 off 31.4 overs.
Atticus Cullinan took 3/34, while Thompson took 2/11.
Three wickets between O’Connor and Khamar helped give the Mill a platform to challenge Brook, but Elliot’s 60 and Thompson’s 58 helped Carisbrook score 104 for the fourth wicket, and eventually take victory with 60 balls to spare.
O’Connor took 2/30 for MKM, while Khamar was the other wicket taker with 1/19.
Natte Yallock 8/124 def Talbot 102
Natte Yallock ensured their 50th year celebrations was one to remember on and off the field by inflicting Talbot’s first loss of the season, taking a 22-run victory at Natte Yallock Oval.
Fittingly, key organisers Trent Mortlock and Alan Streeter played crucial roles in the Swans’ victory, which keeps them in the top four.
Firstly, Mortlock was able to anchor the batting innings by top-scoring with 49, while Callum Liddicoat added 17, Brady Templeton 13 and Ben Smith and Streeter remaining unbeaten on 10 as the Swans made 8/124 off their 40 overs.
When it came time to bowl, it was Streeter who inspired the Swans, finishing with figures of 3/21 off 6.3 overs.
Zac Mortlock chipped in with 2/22, while Liddicoat took 2/18.
Colts Phelans 5/169 def Maryborough 8/163
Maryborough were also dealt their first loss of the 2023/24 season, with Colts Phelans taking a comfortable five-wicket win at Hedges Oval.
Brad Rowe was in the thick of everything in the Maryborough batting innings, top-scoring with 77 before he was trapped LBW by Kane Shepherd.
Bradey Tranter was also able to provide some good scoring, finishing unbeaten on 35, but Maryborough were well held to score 163 off their 40 overs.
Shepherd finished with 3/30 off his eight overs, while Dean Walker took 2/24 off eight.
Maryborough looked to start on the right foot when Tranter left Colts reeling at 3/12, but thanks to Branden Wagstaff’s 72, as well as Richie Clark’s 36 and Patrick Pritchard’s unbeaten 30, Colts were able to get the job done with five overs to spare.
Tranter finished off a good personal game with figures of 3/21 off eight overs.
Round 10
With a three-way tie at the top, there’s a new urgency in the A reserve season.
New ladder-leader Clunes will host Natte Yallock at Bull Millgate Oval in a clash between two top-four teams.
The Magpies were successful by five wickets three weeks ago in their last meeting, and will be looking to take advantage of their new status.
Second-placed Maryborough will be hoping to bounce back quickly when they make the short trip to Carisbrook, after having to battle for victory in their last meeting.
Carisbrook will be hoping to keep their finals hopes alive with a victory, but will have a slim chance if they lose to the Owls.
Talbot make the trip to Hedges Oval to take on Colts Phelans, who have breathed life into their season with their win against Maryborough.
The Yabbies, like the Owls, will be hoping to bounce back from their first loss of the season.
MKM’s 90th anniversary day will see them firstly host Beaufort at Ron Sinclair Oval before they make the trip to Princes Park to celebrate their rich history.
The Mill will have a big chance to record their second win of the season, having previously beaten the Crows in their last meeting.
