Cougars attack claims day one

• A Grade, Division 1

TWO-DAY cricket returned for the Leongatha District Cricket Association’s premier grades, A grade division one and two on the weekend as the association’s season nears the home stretch.

Koonwarra L/RSL hosted Inverloch at the Leongatha Recreation Reserve and the travelling side were still licking their wounds after a stinging defeat the round prior, they won the toss and chose to bat first. 

After what was a run-fest in their previous game, the Stingrays had a much tougher time scoring in this one, on a tougher deck at ‘Gatha. 

The Cougars bowlers were tremendous as they dismissed the visitors for 166, their skipper David Newman (59 from 119) top scoring with a respectable dig, Walter Taberner (41 from 79) tried admirably as well through injury. 

Kasun Weeranga (4/30 from 16) was the player of the day though, as his side bowled Invy’ out with overs to spare and were tasked with seeing out seven overs themselves. 

Unfortunately for the Cougars, they couldn’t quite last without losing a wicket, as Callumn Asbury (1/3 from 2) sent Mitchell Scrimshaw packing without scoring. 

Koony will resume their chase 1/6 this weekend. 

Madusanka dominates ladder leaders

LEONGATHA Town welcomed the ladder-leading Nerrena to Scorpion Park. The hosts won the toss and chose to bat first. 

After their openers struggled to get starts after decent showings a week earlier, Ben Hanrahan (59 from 138) and Madura Madusanka (163 from 170) turned the Town innings on its head. 

Coming in with their team 3/49, the pair put together a monster 132-run partnership before Hanrahan fell for a well made half century. 

Madusanka didn’t settle there though, blasting a superb century, even passing the 150-mark, his innings included 16 fours and five sixes. 

Mitchell Clark eventually got his man, but the damage had been done, although not much was done after Madusanka’s dismissal, with the hosts falling all out for 287. 

Nerrena will know to hit the nets in preparation for the chase this weekend, they’ll need 288-runs to win.

Diggers hold down Club on day one

WONTHAGGI welcomed OMK down the road to the Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve and the hosts won the toss and chose to bat. 

Their innings didn’t get off to a great start, losing both openers for less than 10 each, and it didn’t end up getting much better, as only two batters reached the 30s.

Ethan Lamers (4/42 from 17) did the lion’s share of the damage as the Diggers kept their hosts to a final total of 9/188, after 75 overs. 

Club captain Ryan Thomas (35 from 67) led from the front with his side’s top score, Joel Brann (32 from 89) tried hard as well. 

OMK will head back to Wonthaggi in pursuit of the winning target of 189 this Saturday. 

Imps pass 200 over the bridge on day one

THE IMPERIALS travelled over to Cowes Recreation Reserve to face off with Phillip Island, won the toss and chose to bat first. 

In an innings that had a variety of scores, high and low, as well as plenty of falling wickets, the visitors finished 8/233 after their 75 overs. 

Jack Ginnane (75 from 108) top scored with a nice half century, while Dimithri Perera (62* from 91) batted well also. 

Shiran Rathnayake (3/50 from 23) was the pick of the bowlers for the Sharks, who will look to make it two in a row this Saturday by chasing down the 234 required for victory. 

Match in balance for Sharks and Glen Alvie

• A Grade, Division 2

GLEN Alvie’s decision to bat looked decidedly shaky when it tumbled to 3/10, with the side improving but not fully recovering to set host Kilcunda Bass 162 for victory.

That is proving no easy assignment, with the Sharks battling to stumps, making just 20 runs for the loss of a couple of wickets in a 13-over grind.

Matthew Allen helped Glen Alvie set a defendable target, being his side’s top scorer with 37.

Three other members of the batting lineup recorded scores in the twenties.

Todd Smith (4/33) and Ryley Duff (3/20) both performed impressively with the ball for Kilcunda Bass.

The Sharks cautious chase was proceeding reasonably until openers Jaydan Tregear (13) and Bradley Waldron (4) fell with the score on 20.

Ryan Sinclair and Stephen Kennedy did the damage with the ball to put Glen Alvie in the hunt heading into day two.

MDU contains Korumburra to manageable score

THE Meeniyan Dumbalk United bowlers stuck to the task after home side 

Korumburra chose to bat, with Sam Bright taking 4/38 off 21 overs.

He removed dangerous Cobra opener Tom Crocker for just two and another major threat in Inshaka Siriwardena for six.

While a few of the Korumburra batting list got solid starts, Peter Edwards top scored with 32. 

Although MDU was set a manageable target of 162, it started shakily with keeper and opener Troy Sinclair knocked over for four by Harshika Fernando who has so far managed 1/10 off nine impressive overs.

MDU needs a further 134 to claim victory, something it should achieve, but further early wickets for Korumburra may yet make for an exciting finish.

Phillip Island fights back against Club

PHILLIP Island hit back strongly against Wonthaggi Club, with the Sharks needing 210 for the win after Wonthaggi lost its first wicket on 76.

Substantial partnerships proved difficult to come by thereafter.

Openers Harry West (71) and David Britt (44) laid the foundations for a more substantial score, albeit the 

Phillip Island bowlers made the pair toil hard for their runs.

That was particularly so for Clint Wilson who allowed just 17 runs off 19 overs and snapped up five wickets in the process.

While Tim Niven was less economical, he grabbed 4/56, knocking over both Wonthaggi openers to bring Phillip Island right back into the contest.

Nyora in solid position against Foster

AFTER being sent in by Nyora, Foster’s openers got their side off to a healthy start, with skipper Josh Toner making 40 and keeper Mitchell Jones 29.

However, the Nyora bowlers took charge as the innings progressed, limiting the Tigers score to 141 all out.

Henry Dolphin proved tough for Foster’s batting line-up to handle, finishing with 6/38, with Lincoln Brock (2/30) Nyora’s other multiple wicket taker.

Dolphin didn’t enjoy the same success with the bat, sent on his way by Welles Jenkins for just seven.

Dolphin’s opening partner Daniel Esler made 18.

With eight wickets remaining, Nyora needs 78 further runs for victory.

Andrew Pattie joined Jenkins as Foster’s successful bowlers on day one.