Cobras hold off Stingrays

C Grade, Division 1

KORUMBURRA welcomed ladder leaders Inverloch to the Poowong Recreation Reserve and the hosts won the toss and chose to bat first. 

After losing their first wicket for just nine runs, the Cobras recovered and began rebuilding and despite a strong Stingrays fightback throughout the middle, were able to benefit from a 68-run stand between Mathew Olden (42* from 52) and his skipper Tim Morrison (34 from 28). 

This partnership helped the hosts over the 100-mark and had them on their way to a strong score until a late fightback from Wayne Chapman (2/21 from 4) held them to 7/141 after their 35 overs. 

Young leggy Cooper Newman (2/27 from 7) impressed again with the ball for Invy. 

In reply though, the Stingrays couldn’t quite get themselves to the 142-run target, despite a gallant effort from opener David Harris (60 from 117) who’s half century looked to be a match-winner until he was unfortunately run out. 

Chapman gave the visitors a fighting chance late, but the bowling of Jake Rockall (3/30 from 7) and the ‘Burra attack proved too strong for the Stingrays in the end, as they went down by 16-runs. 

The Stingas’ will now look to get back on the winner’s list in chase of the minor premiership this Saturday against Wonthaggi, while Korumburra will have the bye and prime themselves for a final round push.

Cougars cruise past MDU 

MDU hosted Koonwarra L/RSL at the Leongatha Velodrome and the Dees’ won the toss and chose to bat first. 

In an interesting first innings, the hosts lost some early wickets and some late, but were also able to get decent contributions throughout their XI including from Dale Thomas (45 from 96) at the top and Joshua Brown (34 from 45) at number four. 

However, Cambell Riseley (2/23 from 7) led the attack well alongside his captain Kevin Thorne (2/13 from 4) who combined for four wickets to hold the Demons to 7/131. 

In the second innings, the Cougars didn’t find it as hard with the bat, losing just three wickets on their way to reaching the 132-run target with six overs to spare. 

Alex Stanley (41 from 73) and Adam Thorne (43* from 45) contributed nicely to see their team to the win, while Steven Riley (1/15 from 7) tried his hardest for MDU. 

Koony will now head to Nyora looking to solidify their spot in the finals, while the Demons will head over to the Island. 

Island post big total in Nyora 

NYORA welcomed Phillip Island down the road to the Nyora Recreation Reserve and the hosts won the toss and sent the Islanders in to bat first. 

The Sharks side combined beautifully and despite the home captain Ben Pugh’s (3/43 from 7) best efforts, probably made him regret sending them in as they posted 8/197 after their 35 overs. 

Deane Mani (55*) and Gavin Excell (38) top scored. 

Unfortunately, the second innings and result weren’t available at the time of print. 

C Grade, Division 2

OMK bowlers take charge of Cougars

OUTTRIM Moyarra Kongwak’s bowlers ripped through the Koonwarra Leongatha RSL top order to set up a 49-run win for the Diggers, with Michael Whiteside and Ben Maguire the early destroyers.

Needing 167 for victory, the Cougars found themselves in disarray when the top four in its batting order made just eight runs between them, with all of those coming from the blade of Kylie Collins.

Alvis Piksons, Gabrielle Perry and captain Glenn Matthies failed to trouble the scorers.

However, what looked like becoming a capitulation was arrested by a defiant Darren Read knock, with the number five batsman making 58 before being caught by Andrew Sorensen off the bowling of Harvey Sorensen.

Dom Murdica provided resistance, reaching 16 runs before Jordan Myors and Noah Furness combined to run him out, with Cougars keeper Geoff Birnie the side’s other player to reach double figures.

Andrew Sorensen was chiefly responsible for providing OMK’s bowlers a solid total to defend, scoring 89 at a little better than a run a ball, while opener George Lomagno posted a patient 38 before retiring undefeated.

Louis Read (2/28) and Piksons (1/27) were the wicket takers for Koonwarra Leongatha RSL, each bowling their maximum allocation of overs.

Town brushes aside strong Glen Alvie total

AFTER sending in host Glen Alvie, Leongatha Town didn’t allow a 130-run opening stand to fluster it.

While the Scorpions took just three wickets and couldn’t remove Glen Alvie opener Matthew Donohue (96 not out), a target of 166 at an asking rate of 4.74 per over didn’t daunt the Town openers.

Ray Edwards (84 not out) and Nigel Hodges (74 not out) both breezed along at better than a run a ball to guide Leongatha Town to a 10-wicket victory with 10 overs to spare.

Along with Donohue, Ryan Luke (56) established what appeared a good total for Glen Alvie before being bowled by Travis Strybosch.

Strybosch was the only wicket taker for the ultimately triumphant Leongatha Town, taking 2/22 off his seven overs, making him the game’s sole bowler to break through.

The other Glen Alvie batsman to be dismissed, Archie Donohue, was run out.

Glen Alvie gave most of its side a go with the ball as it strived to halt Leongatha Town’s batting momentum, with eight bowlers used, but none could find the solution, with Wayne Bridle’s 0/28 off seven overs the best effort.

Kilcunda-Bass had the bye