History repeats itself as cricket returns

• A Grade, Division 1

CRICKET returned on Saturday as the LDCA’s two A grade divisions continued the 2022/23 season with some one day, 40 over a side, matches. 

Highlighting the day was some repeated history as last season’s Grand Finalists Leongatha and Phillip Island both lost to OMK and Inverloch respectively, as they had back in Round 6. 

Koony’s strong total too much for Imps

Koonwarra L/RSL welcomed the Imperials down to Koonwarra Recreation Reserve and the hosts won the toss and chose to bat first. 

The Cougars were in trouble early, both openers missed out and they fell to 2/8 as Lachlan Wright (5/36 from 8) got into his work. 

With the dismissal of the Koony’ skipper Ben Walsh (19 from 30), Wright had three wickets and it looked as though the hosts were in trouble, however this is when the tide changed. 

James Rushton (51 from 65) and Sam Hughes (58 from 82) both notched half centuries as their side climbed all the way back into contention of a big score with a brilliant 79-run stand. 

Rushton eventually fell with the score just over the century mark, but Hughes kept on going with Sam Sperling (46 from 37) to advance it over 180 when the Imps captain fought back with Wright. 

Jack Ginnane (4/36 from 8) finished off nicely to lead his team back in with a chance, as Wright capped off his five-wicket haul and the Cougars finished all out for 208.

Unfortunately for the Imps, unlike their hosts they were never able to recover as they managed just 96 more runs and were dismissed for 152. 

Clark dominant again for Nerrena

NERRENA hosted Wonthaggi at Leongatha Recreation Reserve as the visitors won the toss and chose to bat first. 

They lost Stewart Beaumont (3) early, but that didn’t faze Mitchell Thomas (59 from 72) who was hitting them nicely all around the park on his way to a half century. 

Unfortunately, though, Thomas’ half ton was the only real highlight for Club as they only had two other batters scratch double figures. 

In reply, the visitors were set the tough task of stopping the dangerous Mitchell Clark (59 from 82) and they were able to do so but only after he’d notched another half century, which helped guide his side to the win with six wickets to spare. 

Joel Brann (2/21 from 8) was the pick of the bowlers for Wonthaggi.

Diggers take down Town again

OMK welcomed Leongatha down the road to Outtrim Recreation Reserve and Town won the toss and chose to bat first. 

The visitors started well with all of their top three getting starts in Darcy Hume (31 from 59), captain Jesse Giardina (30 from 24) and Amila Ratnaike (49 from 56) although none of the three could go on to a big score. 

With their side 4/120 and their innings in the balance, Madura Madusanka (78* from 55) and Dulaj Polwaththa Gallage (38 from 36) put together a huge 99-run partnership to push the score over 200. 

Madusanka finished with an unbeaten half century as his side posted a strong total of 7/238, Thomas Wyatt (2/25 from 4) claimed a couple of wickets. 

In reply, needing 239 to win, the Diggers put the early nerves and doubt to rest and burst out of the blocks, reaching 99 before the loss of their first wicket. 

The hosts were able to weather a small middle order collapse and see themselves to their second win over ‘Gatha on the season, pulling off the huge chase with five wickets to spare thanks to strong unbeaten knocks from their skipper Koby Brann (45* from 39) and Daniel Lloyd (35* from 28).

McQualter’s six sinks Island 

THE reigning premiers Phillip Island hosted Inverloch at Cowes Recreation Reserve and the visitors won the toss and chose to bat first. 

Young openers Jacob Strickland (9) and Jack Butcher (43 from 63) looked to be digging in before Strickland fell to a blinder of a catch at second slip. 

This didn’t deter the Stingrays though, who were determined to pull off the unlikely feat of beating the Sharks twice in one season. 

The Invy’ captain David Newman (25 from 28) was next to the crease, coming of a masterful century last time he faced the Island, the Sharks were swarming and focused to see the end of him early. 

The experienced pair were able to push the Stingrays score over the 100 mark, but not too much further as Max Royal (2/41 from 8) bagged the big wicket of Newman thanks to a catch from his captain Daniel Mock. 

Inverloch finished 7/198, setting the Sharks 199 for victory. 

However, Inverloch pulled off the win over the bridge by 40 runs and complete the sweep of the reigning premiers, who now sit outside the top four!