McBride takes five

C Grade

AFTER what felt like decades, LDCA’s C grade division finally returned to two-day cricket on Saturday as teams swapped out the coloured shirts for the classic white ones around the league. 
Kilcunda-Bass and Inverloch opened their seasons in a clash at Bass on Saturday in sunny, blustery conditions. 

The Stingrays won the toss and chose to bat first and on a tough thick and slow outfield, it was more of a challenge than they expected. 

After losing both openers for under 20, the visitors were in a spot of bother, but new recruit Greg Eddy (38) made sure that didn’t last, digging in for a team high score and batting alongside Wayne Chapman (26) for the majority of the innings to claw Invy’ back. 

The Stingas’ tailenders also contributed, taking advantage of some wayward Killy’-Bass bowling to finish on a defendable total of 8/146 after their 60 overs. 

Alister McBride (5/25 from 15.1) was a standout with the ball for the Sharks, who’ll begin their chase when the two sides return to Bass Recreation Reserve #2 on Saturday.

Action packed afternoon at Scorpion
LEONGATHA welcomed Phillip Island to Scorpion Park #2 in a two-day match that saw plenty of action with both sides seeing the pitch with bat and ball. 

The hosts won the toss and chose to bat first and put the Sharks to the sword early, thanks to a positive innings from opener 
Nigel Hodges (73 off 67). 

Hodges didn’t get too much support though, outside of a crucial captains knock by Paul Carter (38 off 27) at number nine which saw his side finish on 204 as Peter Francis (6/49 from 13) wreaked havoc. 

Since Town had gone so hard so quickly, they were dismissed inside 41 overs, meaning the Islanders had just under 20 overs to bat, in pursuit of the 205-runs required to win. 

They made a strong fist of it too, reaching 92 at stumps, losing four wickets along the way, including John Manning (59 off 49) who was also positive on the small ground. 

Drew Fusinato (1*), Steven Niven (0*) and Phillip Island will resume their chase this Saturday back in ‘Gatha, while Carter (2/2 from 2) will look to lock up the win for his side.