23/01/2023, Geelong, Cricket, Geelong Cricket Association, Article # 31010700
Red ball cricket returned for the 1s boys as the season continues to roll along.
After a dominating performance with bat and ball last week, our boys could be excused for taking the foot off the pedal a touch this week against the winless Highton. But to our guys credit, they turned up hunting 6 points and the song and that's exactly what they got. Losing the toss and having to bowl, Highton got off to a reasonable start thanks to some uncontrollable bowling with the new red ball. Appsy was at his best again as he got the day rolling with a wicket, caught by Alistair. Alistair would grab the 2nd wicket of the day before Highton would make a comeback. When Appsy was re introduced the game shifted back in our favour and then Tom was sent into work. He picked up 1 and then his 2nd scalp meant that he had 300 wickets for the club. His 3rd wicket came from a brilliant delivery and on the last ball of the innings, his 4th wicket also signalled his 300th GCA Div 1 1st XI dismissal as Highton finished 8/166.
In reply our openers started calmly before an unlucky runout seen Sam's day end early. Curtly came and recieved a peach of a delivery for his troubles. That brought Layton to the crease as he and Ned set about the victory. On 14 Layton fell and Cossie came and went leaving the job up to Ned and his fellow ex Anglesea team mate Dale to pick up the pieces. The pair put on an unbeaten 98 run partnership off just 97 balls. Ned finishing unbeaten on 82 and Dale 55 as the guys go 7 and a draw and move 2 games clear of 3rd spot.
Another side that could have really put a gap on the field was the 2nds. A Top 2 spot could have really been cemented with a win on Saturday, however a mid order batting collapse turned the game dramatically. Bowling first, if the guys thought a repeat of last weekend was on the cards, they were sadly wrong. Highton raced out to 0/75 off just 12 overs before skipper Grant Armistead inserted himself into the game. Grant has been fairly unselfish when it comes to his bowlers this year but on Saturday he took it upon himself to bring the guys back into the game. Ajay Mada picked up a big scalp as Grant grabbed another 2 wickets to drag the boys back into the contest. When Hangers was on a hat trick the boys were back on top. Hangers picked up 1 more as Highton finished 7/199. With the bat Casey's 37 looked to set up the win. Brissle continued his nice run of form with 51 but once they both fell the middle orders lack of centre wicket batting was on show as we lost 7/46 and the game was all but done. Grant fought hard at the end to get the guys within reach requiring 4 to win off 7 balls but it wasn't to be as Mang fell lbw, leaving Grant stranded.
The 3rd XI went down in a close game as well, making their run for a finals birth extremely difficult now. Bowling first, Hightons openers threw everything they had at our attack. Lachy Hayes bended his back and even his best wasn't enough to begin with. Highton raced to 60 before Lachy finally got a breakthrough, when Braden Szponar grabbed 2 wickets the game was back on even playing field and our boys kept searching for a way in. All the bowlers continued to pepper the Highton bats and Birchy was best rewarded as he picked up 3 late wickets to restrict Highton to all out for 185. Sometimes things click with the bat and sometimes they don't, Smithy's 50 last week looks like its finally got him going this season. He turned his 50 into 76 this week although none of his top order could bat with him. Lachy Hayes batting at 8 had the chance to win the guys the game but the task was too much and the guys fell 18 runs short.
The 4ths continue to go from strength to strength with their 3rd consecutive win in a row. Jonny Kelly was the star with both bat and ball, the 18 year old made his first senior 100 with a really mature knock. Batting first our guys started roughly and at 4/38 were staring down at an early day. Jonny and young Harvey set about rebuilding the innings. Jonny played the senior role well and carved up the Highton attack as the pair put on exactly 100 before Harvs fell. Jonny continued on and brought up his 3 figures as we finished all out for 182. Like the last few weeks its taken the entire bowling line up to complete the job for the boys, all bowlers once again chipped in to help with Jonny Kelly backing up his efforts with the bat to grab 2 wickets whilst Col also grabbed 2 and Darcy O'Brien 3. Highton had no answers to the 3 pronged spin attack as they were all out for 135.
The 5ths boys were hunting 2 wins in a row hosting Highton. It was a tight game last time we played them and this game appeared to be no different. Batting first our top order struggled and it wasn't until Teddie and Robbo came together, that the score started ticking over. Robbo brought up his best score with 21 before Automan did the same. Jordan has been a mainstay in the 5ths this year and it's good to see him getting rewarded for his efforts. His 33 top scored in our score of 9/142. Wickets were hard to come by early but Teddie Sherwin backed up his batting with the ball and claimed 3 wickets to drag the boys back into the contest. Wardy bowled tight and the game was going down to the wire. At 8/106 we were definitely in control with only 2 wickets required, however the break through never came and the Highton tailed wagged themselves to victory with 8 balls to spare.
On Sunday it was a Super day for the girls on and off the park. For the first time ever we had all 3 girls grades playing at home. The A Grade girls, out on the turf, did their thing and did it well. Chloe Smith lead the way with bat in hand as she made a brilliant 58. She was desperately running out of partners as no other girl made it to double figures. Eventually Chloe would be the last bat dismissed as our girls made 131 from 28.5 overs. The game was quickly put to bed with opening bowlers Jordyn Stewart and Brodie Mitchell on target early. The girls ran thru the Ocean Grove top order and with very little resilience from the Ocean Grove bats they were soon bowled out for just 47 runs, Jordyn top wicket taker with 3/13 from 4.2 overs.
The B Grade didn't have it all their own way but similar to the A Grade, they fought and fought until they found a way to win. Norz lead the way with bat in hand as she was well supported by Georgia Brajkovic. Normally opening, Georgia found herself down the order this week and still played the team game before being run out for 22. Their score of 127 looked alright, but they needed to bowl well and bowl well they did. Tash Millard had a few breakout games last year but none bigger than this one, her 6 overs going conceding just 19 runs as she picked up 3 wickets along the way. Heidi Windt's stump to stump bowling saw her pick up 2 wickets to all but end Highton chances of victory.
The E Grade took just over an hour to wrap up their last game of the season before finals. Bowling first they stretched Banno to what must be close to a record low. Melrod and Haylea both picked up 2 wickets. The score of 14 was easy to chase, and our girls did it in just 4 overs with 13 extras to boot. The girls now line up in their first round of finals in a few weeks time with their opposition unknown at this point.
So, with only 5 club championship points banked this week, it opens things up for a big few weeks, starting with Grovedale next week. Speaking of Grovedale, we played them in our 1st T20 game last Tuesday Night, bowling first Alistair stood in as skipper and did a fine job with leading the side and with ball in hand. We restricted Grovedale to 7/113 a score that we struggled with. Similar to Grovey we were in trouble early at 3/8. Alistair Blake and Hangers all chipped in and got the chase back on track however a few unnecessary wickets left the job up to Hayesy and Webby. Webster played with a cool head and Hayes hit the straight gaps nicely. Webby fell leaving us 9 runs still required which Hayes and Bagga snuck us home with 4 balls to spare and sending us into the 2nd round to play against Geelong City next Tuesday Night.
This Sunday is our Major Raffle for the year, it's been 3 years since we've held one due to Covid so hopefully this one will be huge for the club. Following that we have our Team of the 2000s Night which also looms as a big night for the club. Not quite finished there as Ladies Day follows that on Feb 18 and to round things out we've got our past players and supporters day on March 4th. A massive month coming up for the club!!!
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