Korumburra fielding decisive in beating Phillip Island

• A Grade, Division 2

PHILLIP Island skipper Steve McIntyre’s entertaining batting gave his bowlers a solid total to defend, but Tom Crocker helped engineer a solid response from Korumburra as it comfortably overcame the Sharks’ total to win by seven wickets.

Attacking shots, including drives and cuts characterised McIntyre’s knock, before he was undone by the Sri Lankan Cobra combination of left arm spinner Inshaka Siriwardena and keeper Rumesh Rangana.

Korumburra captain and keeper Rangana stumped McIntyre for 61, with Siriwardena going on to capture 4/27 off his eight overs.

While the side continued to lose wickets, batsmen refused to go into their shells, with their positive approach setting Korumburra a challenging 4.3 runs an over for victory.

By the time Andrew Finlayson ran out Crocker for 58, the foundations for Korumburra success had been laid.

While it was a deserved win for Korumburra, Phillip Island will undoubtedly look to sharpen up its catching at training this week after grassing a damaging number of opportunities.

George McCausland and Clint Wilson were the Phillip Island wicket takers, with Wilson’s 1-25 off seven overs the pick of the Sharks’ figures.

Unbeaten Korumburra hopes to continue its momentum as it welcomes Kilcunda Bass, while Phillip Island is keen to bounce back to winning ways when Foster visits Cowes. 

Club too strong for MDU

ALTHOUGH Wonthaggi fell just short of completing its 40 over innings, its batsmen had by then set a formidable 198 run target for MDU to pursue.

While a number of Club batsmen made decent contributions, opener David Britt was the mainstay, notching a quickfire 70 off just 64 balls.

While MDU bowlers showed commendable discipline to avoid so much as a single no ball, their accuracy was less assured with 15 wides called.

Mitch Hoober was guilty of straying at times, but finished with the excellent figures of 3-27 off his full complement of overs to be best for MDU with the ball.

MDU made a solid start to its innings, with Steven Arnup and Colin Knox putting together a 60-run partnership, but Arnup’s departure for 25 was rapidly followed by Knox who made 18 runs.

Heath Dobbie’s 3-27 was the highlight of Wonthaggi’s bowling figures, claiming the wickets of the MDU opening pair, but all seven bowlers used by Club performed strongly.

After recording the first win of its 2022/23 campaign, Club travels to Nyora for its next challenge, while winless sides MDU and Glen Alvie battle it out. 

Nyora comfortably chases down Glen Alvie target

A BLISTERING 75 from 61 balls from keeper Kade Anderson helped Nyora make the required runs with six overs to spare, with the Glen Alvie bowlers taking only three wickets.

Anderson’s thrilling knock comprised a couple of sixes and seven fours, with more than half his runs coming in boundaries.

His skipper Henry Dolphin provided the steady presence required at the other end with a measured 35 off 57 balls, ensuring there were no wobbles after opening partner and previous Nyora captain Daniel Esler fell for just 3 runs.

Although not rewarded with a wicket, Nathan Findlay bowled admirably for Glen Alvie, with just 22 runs scored off his eight overs.

Nyora will look to build on its first win of the season when it hosts Wonthaggi in round 3, while Glen Alvie strives for a breakthrough win when it hosts MDU.

Kilcunda Bass does enough against Foster

FOSTER’S bowlers gave their all to skittle Kilcunda Bass for less than the Tigers lowly 105 run total, but the Sharks batsmen got the job done with four wickets in hand.

After a strong Kilcunda Bass bowling and fielding performance, Sharks skipper Ash Larcombe took the opportunity to move some of his players up the batting order.

Kilcunda Bass approached their batting after drinks in attacking fashion, adopting a mindset as if they were setting a total, having laid a solid platform at 1/60 by the drinks break.

However, after a few wickets fell young pair Harrison Berry and Tod Smith showed composure when it was needed.