Four huge games bat off B grade

• B Grade, Division 1

ON A tough and sandy surface at the Inverloch Recreation Reserve, both teams found it hard scoring quickly, but the hometown Stingrays adjusted best, coming away with the eight-wicket win. 

The Imps won the toss and chose to bat first, and after some early trouble at 2/17, they recovered and looked like they were back on their way to a strong total, after a 44-run partnership between Gary Sauvarin (28 off 64) and Dallas McLennan (30 off 67). 

Although after losing McLennan, the score read 4/93 and from there it was all downhill, the Imps only furthering the score another 27-runs and losing their final six wickets to finish 10/120. 

In reply, the hosts changed tempo beautifully in the chase, starting slow and methodically, and then accelerating after the drinks break to reach the total, thanks to some inspired play from young opener Riley Harris (60* off 118). 

Young leg spinner Andot Mankhong (17* off 39 & 4/22 from 7) also stood out in his club debut for Inverloch. 

OMK v Korumburra 
ANOTHER club who took home the points courtesy of an inspired bowling performance was OMK, in their local clash with Korumburra at the Outtrim Recreation Reserve. 

The Diggers won the toss and chose to post a total to defend first and did just that, building off of opener Adam Busana’s (51 off 32) strong foundation, the lower order got involved to push their score to 141 at the conclusion of their 40. 

Matthew Olden (2/24 from 8) was admirable with the ball for the Cobras, who ultimately fell short in the chase, which never really got off the start line, losing their first wicket prior to getting off the mark and finally their last just after topping the century mark. 

The ‘Burra XI could only muster 10/106, falling 35-runs shy of the win thanks to a fierce Diggers attack led by Hayden James (3/16 from 8). 

Koonwarra L/RSL v Leongatha
KOONWARRA L/RSL proved too much for Leongatha Town, completing the five-wicket win with an over to spare at Scorpion Park 2. 

Brad Anderson won the toss and elected to send Town in to bat first, and it proved to be an outstanding decision, as Paris Buckley (3/14 from 8) led the Cougars attack beautifully. 

Despite decent digs from Luke Ashton (35 off 54) and Colin Bruce (40 off 49), Buckley and Koonwarra held ‘Gatha to 7/155 after their 40 overs. 

In reply, Anderson’s squad thought their way through the chase exceptionally, despite being halted at 2/18, they found contributors in Nigel Grimes (44 off 65) and Kayden Scrimshaw (55* off 98). 

Anderson (35 off 33) also pitched in with the bat to help see his side home, Rhett Hume (3/21 from 8) was Town’s best with the ball. 

MDU v Phillip Island
PHILLIP Island travelled well on the weekend, heading over to the Meeniyan Recreation Reserve to face MDU, where they too completed a successful chase to win by five-wickets. 

The Demons won the toss and elected to bat first, reaching 83 before the loss of their first wicket, which ended up being a perfect building block for their solid 6/184 score. 

Matt Martin (69 off 50) went about his job at the top tremendously, while Mitchell Hoober (50* off 57) executed his role at number five to perfection, although the Dees’ pair didn’t find too many going along with them as Kurt Lane (3/31 from 8) found his groove with the ball. 

In reply, the Sharks top three each got themselves off to great starts but couldn’t convert, but it didn’t matter, as Lane (71* off 33) made it his day, smashing a half century and guiding his side to the win in a true captain’s knock.

Peter Cleary derails Club

• B Grade, Division 2

A HAT trick is the highlight of the B grade division two opening round, with Phillip Island’s Peter Cleary (4/18 from 8) tearing through Wonthaggi’s middle order to swing the game in the Sharks favour. 
In a game that had stand out performances everywhere you looked Tharidu Asurumuni (74 off 30) and Tony Hornsby (40 off 65) ensured the Islanders pushed through the fine spell of Lucas McRae

(4/47 from 6) and posted a strong total of 7/198 after 40.

Then, it was Heath Dobbie (73 off 95) and Jayden Burns (42 off 54) doing damage in the chase, but Cleary’s hat trick in the 18th over derailed Club’s efforts, despite a 68-run stand between Dobbie and Jayden Burns (42 off 54). 

The Sharks ended up holding their hosts to 9/174, running out of time and batting power in their chase to fall 24-runs short. 

Kilcunda-Bass v Foster 
KILCUNDA-Bass have recorded an emphatic win at the Bass Recreation Reserve, defeating Foster by seven-wickets with 16 overs to spare. 

The Sharks won the toss and chose to field first, and it paid off, dismissing the Tigers for 98 despite a promising 0/32 start behind Richard Johnston’s (20 off 35) efforts at the top. 

The hosts had three different bowlers each claim two scalps, which set up a simple chase of 99-runs, which they completed with ease despite losing two wickets early in the peace. 
Stephen Leman (56* off 67) was excellent in guiding Killy’ Bass home. 

Nerrena v Korumburra 
KORUMBURRA just didn’t put enough on the board in their clash with Nerrena who completed the chase with four wickets to spare at the Leongatha Recreation Reserve. 

The hosts surpassed the Cobras 146-run total inside 30 overs after losing the toss and being asked to field first, which they did brilliantly, taking all 10 Korumburra wickets, including that of Pater Churchill (39) who top scored for his side. 

In reply, Nerrena, headed by Brian Gannon (62) were good enough to clinch their first win of the season with a successful chase. 

OMK v Glen Alvie 
OMK has roared to their first win of the season on Saturday, accounting for Glen Alvie to the tune of seven-wickets in a dominant all round team display. 

The Alvie won the toss and chose to bat first, but it was all bad news, a start from Andrew Brown (25 off 45) the only positive, as his side fell 10/80 after all seven Digger bowlers all chipped in with at least one wicket. 

In reply, OMK lost Thomas Walker without scoring, but it didn’t bother them, getting behind Walker’s opening partner Bradley Hayes (44 off 42) and Russ White (30 off 35) to see themselves to the win in just 16 overs, with more than half the innings to spare!