Club’s balanced batting and solid bowling

B Grade, Division 1

WONTHAGGI Club won the toss and chose to bat, setting a competitive total of 7/183 in 40 overs. 

David Britt led the way with 43 runs from 44 balls, including nine boundaries, while Harry West remained unbeaten on 72 not out from 75 balls. 

Contributions from Jai Williamson (16) and Mohamed Ashik Mohamed Nizar (15) added crucial runs, although the middle order struggled, with a series of wickets falling at regular intervals. The bowling attack of OMK was spearheaded by Mitchell Andrew, who took two wickets for 20 runs, supported by Ben Maguire (1/16) and David Jeffries (2/45).

In response, OMK was bowled out for 122 in 34 overs. 

Captain Kris Kerr (14) and Clayton Quaife (32) gave their side a solid start, but wickets fell quickly, and they were unable to recover from the pressure. 

Jai Williamson was the standout bowler for Wonthaggi Club, claiming three wickets for just 13 runs in his seven overs. Mohamed Ashik Mohamed Nizar also impressed with three wickets for 31.

Wonthaggi Club’s tight bowling and fielding, including crucial dismissals from Shaun Tessari and Stewart Beaumont, ensured a comfortable victory by 61 runs.

Debono’s blistering 82 

INVERLOCH won the toss and elected to bat, finishing with a total of 3/217 in 40 overs. Brett Debono top-scored with 82 from 78 balls, supported by Warren Stewart (51) and David Harris (34), who provided solid partnerships. 

Jack Rowe (25 not out) and Shaun Hayes (16 not out) contributed quick runs at the end, lifting Inverloch to a competitive total. MDU’s bowling attack struggled, with Simon McRae (1/55), Callum McCaughan (1/6) and Daniel Field (1/42) being the only bowlers to claim wickets.

MDU responded with 7/215 in 40 overs falling short by two runs. 

Key innings came from Steve Arnup (36) and Simon McRae (40), who gave their side hope, but regular wickets kept them from reaching the target. 

Isaac Seuren’s tight bowling, with two wickets for 15 runs, was instrumental in limiting the batting lineup. Callan O’Flynn (2/46) and Jason Smith (1/49) also played important roles. Despite a late surge from Kurt Sinclair (16 not out) and Daniel Feild (10 not out), Inverloch held on for a thrilling victory by just two runs.

Nerrena’s bowlers tear through Island’s batting

NERRENA set a modest target of 150 in their 40 overs, led by contributions from Damien Symmons (20) and Joel Renden (28). 

Tarryn Allan secured two wickets for Island off 23 runs.

In response, Phillip Island’s chase never gained momentum as they were bundled out for just 56 in 27.2 overs. 

Nerrena’s bowlers, spearheaded by Harris (3/9) and Murphy (3/9), dominated, and despite a few defiant knocks from the opposition, it was a comprehensive victory for Nerrena.

Korumburra had the bye.

B Grade, Division 2

Town’s 144-run victory

LEONGATHA Town started strongly after winning the toss and electing to bat first with Mark Hardy scoring 68 runs off 83 balls, including 14 boundaries. 

Luke Bowman contributed 39 off 49 balls, and Pandukabhaya Jayasinghe was the standout performer with a quickfire 71 off 49 balls, striking 11 boundaries. 

Rory Gilliatte added a valuable 24 runs off 19 balls. Lower-order contributions from Beau Gilliatte, who remained unbeaten on 18, helped the team post a competitive total of 7/264 in their 40 overs.

For Kilcunda-Bass, Andrew Leighton was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3/51 from his eight overs. Allan Bedford also claimed 3/59 in his spell, while Daniel Ferguson chipped in with a wicket.

In reply, Kilcunda-Bass struggled against disciplined bowling from Leongatha Town. Brett Joseph top-scored with 28 runs off 32 balls, and Joel Huckett contributed 29 off 71 balls. However, no other batter managed to make a significant impact as Kilcunda-Bass was bowled out for 120 in 34 overs.

Leongatha Town’s bowlers were exceptional, with Beau Glliatte leading the charge, taking 3/4 from his two overs. Frazer Livingstone claimed three wickets, while Pandukabhaya Jayasinghe and Rory Gilliatte also picked up two and one respectively.

Leongatha Town won convincingly by 144 runs.

Foster holds nerve to secure a thrilling three-run win 

FOSTER won the toss and elected to bat first.

Jack Gay anchored the innings with a well-made 58 off 98 balls, supported by Neil Henry, who scored 40 off 49 balls. Contributions from Donald Caldwell (21 off 25 balls) and Brandon Busuttil (20 off 17 balls) helped Foster reach 7/176 in their allotted 40 overs.

For Nyora, Daniel Blackney was the standout bowler, claiming 3/25 from his eight overs. Ryan White, Tully Bernaldo and Lincoln Brock picked up one wicket each.

In their chase, Nyora came close but fell just short, finishing on 8/173 from their 40 overs. Colin Knox top-scored with 47 off 79 balls, while Ryan White remained unbeaten on 40 off 59 balls. Michael Lynch added 15 off 16 balls, but Foster’s bowlers kept the pressure on throughout.

Jack Gay led the bowling attack for Foster, taking 3/16 in his eight overs. Neil Henry contributed with 2/18, while Max Johnston, Jake Pilkington and Brandon Busuttil picked up a wicket each.

Foster secured a narrow three-run victory in a thrilling contest.

Cougars set the stage

KOONWARRA-Leongatha RSL won the toss and chose to bowl first against Glen Alvie. Despite a valiant effort from Captain Jay Tiziani, who scored 45 not out off 76 balls, Glen Alvie was restricted to 7/163 in 40 overs. 

Andrew Brown’s quick-fire 33 off 17 balls provided some much-needed momentum, but the rest of the batters struggled. Koonwarra Leongatha RSL’s bowlers kept the pressure on, with Matthew Boswell and Nick Arnup claiming one wicket each, while Cambell Riseley notched up two wickets.

In reply, Koonwarra-Leongatha RSL made a strong start, with Jordan Pickersgill top-scoring with 61 off 62 balls. Despite wickets falling around him, including key dismissals by Darcy Hale and Raphael Spiteri-Stevens, Pickersgill’s knock helped the team stay on track. 

Heppell added 30 runs, and in the end, Arnup (13 not out) and Anderson (0 not out) guided the team to a narrow victory, finishing at 7/165 in 34.3 overs, just two runs ahead of Glen Alvie’s total.

Imperials had the bye.