Club dismantle Imps

A Grade, Division 1

WONTHAGGI has made another strong statement, demolishing the Imperials in a tremendous all-round performance to take their second win of the young season. 

The travelling Imps won the toss and chose to bat first but that decision did not pay off, once again falling for under 100, for the second week in a row, this time making 81. 

Their highest score came from their number nine Martin Reidy (22) but the Wonny’ attack was led beautifully by their skipper Joel Brann (3/14 from 8).

In reply, Matt Thomas (34*) guided the hosts home to the eight-wicket win, while Lachie Wright (1/14 from 7) tried his hardest for the visitors. 

Diggers down Sharks at home 
OMK made a bold statement of their own, taking down the reigning champs by four wickets to even things up at the top of the table.

Daniel Mock (34 off 34) and the Sharks won the toss and chose to bat, but outside of the skipper himself and number five Eli Richards (65 off 74), they never really got going, but finished with a defendable total at 8/171 after their 40. 

Thomas Wyatt (2/25 from 6) was great with the ball for the hometown Diggers. 

In reply, the hosts got a strong early contribution from Jake Cochrane (49 off 67) and built off it with multiple players in their middle order pitching in to get the job done. 

Jacob Lamers (24* off 29) saw his side to the end, while Simon Kirton (2/34 off 8) tried to keep the Island in it. 

Abeysinghe, Town hold serve at home
LEONGATHA has taken a strong step towards reigniting their season, defeating Inverloch by 31-runs at Scorpion Park on Saturday. 

Town won the toss and chose to bat first, but an inspired fielding effort from the Stingrays saw them held down throughout their innings. 

A solid dig from Ron Abeysinghe (67 off 100) and some wayward bowling allowed the hosts to post a defendable total in the end though finishing their 40 overs with 8/179 on the board. 

Young Jesse Dugard (3/42 from eight) bowled well at the death for Invy’. 

In reply, Walter Taberner (58 off 92) was a cut above the rest of his teammates with the stick, batting throughout almost the entirety of the Inverloch innings despite losing partners regularly. 

It appeared as though Taberner may have the chance to cap off the heroic performance by steering his side home, but this was stolen away by Abeysinghe (2/15 from seven) who struck three times in the 33rd over (two wickets one run out) to steal back all momentum. 

Despite some brilliant late batting from the visitors’ number 11 Harry Butcher (20* off 12), the Scorpions held on for the win. 

‘Burra and Nerrena battle it out in Sunday special
Looking to get back on track, Korumburra hosted Nerrena in a Sunday afternoon match up to finish off the weekend of cricket. 

The Cobras won the toss and chose to bat first but some sensational bowling from Will Croatto helped put them in a tough place early. 

Croatto dismissed the big name Thilakaratne Dilshan for just one and at the drinks break the hosts were 5/51. 

They were able to fight and steer their way to a score of 9/119 though, on the back of a defiant innings from their number six Jason Richards (41* off 98), as Mitch Clark (3/20 from 7) finished with three poles.

But the Nerrena skipper (Clark) and his side were simply not ready for what was to come next, getting skittled for 79, with the captain high scoring with 15 in the chase. 

Udara Weerasinghe (2/5 from 6) was near to unplayable in the Cobras’ 40-run win.