MDU losses chasing modest total

A Grade, Division 1

GLEN Alvie’s bowlers gave their side hope of defending a low first innings total of just 114, claiming a couple of MDU wickets late on day one.

Earlier, after choosing to bat, away side Glen Alvie failed to capitalise on three of its top four batsmen getting solid starts, with opener Ryan Sinclair (31) the team’s top scorer.

All six MDU bowlers used had a positive impact for the Demons.

Steven Arnup proved a destructive force, knocking over top and middle order Glen Alvie batsmen on the way to figures of 4/37.

Darien Mathews (2/32) was the other Demon to claim more than one wicket, sending down 15 tidy overs, while teammate Mark Cantwell dismissed opposition opener Steven Smith cheaply and allowed just a couple of runs from seven overs.

MDU stumbled to 2/25 at stumps, taking 16 overs to reach that total, with openers Arnup and Troy Sinclair both falling short of double figures.

Nathan Findlay has led the way with the ball so far for Glen Alvie, taking a wicket and conceding just seven runs from his eight overs.

MDU starts day two needing another 90 runs to edge past Glen Alvie’s first innings score.

Work needed from Killy-Bass against Korumburra

KORUMBURRA chose to bat at Bass Recreation Reserve, backing that decision with a high-quality display, with Jacob Whiteside making a brisk century before falling for 106.

Tom Crocker is back in strong form for the Cobras, making 75, and Inshaka Siriwardena (64 not out) continued an excellent season in which he is averaging just over 70 with the bat in A2 competition.

There were no standout bowling figures for the Sharks, but Harrison Berry, Todd Smith and Jackson Baker took a wicket each, with Ryley Duff managing a couple, including that of century maker Whiteside.

Needing 303 to get ahead in the first innings, the Kilcunda Bass openers have made a solid start, going to stumps at 0/22.

While Shannon Rozario’s positive approach has got him to 16 not out from 25 balls, Ashley Larcombe has taken a dourer outlook, grinding his way to an unbeaten score of 1 from 35 balls.

Josh sets positive tone for Foster

FOSTER captain Josh Toner gave his opposition counterpart cause for concern, blasting 115 in a commanding opening performance after visitor Phillip Island put the Tigers in.

Toner’s blistering innings comprised 17 boundaries and a couple of sixes. 

His opening partner Jack Gay (39) was next best.

Such was the power of Toner’s innings, the team total had raced to 144 by the time Gay was dismissed.

A few other Tigers made good contributions, with Mitchell Jones and Jack Weston the best of those with 25 runs apiece.

Clint Wilson toiled industriously for Phillip Island, taking 4/48 from 21 overs, his wickets accounting for Foster’s openers and a couple of middle order batsmen.

Other Sharks, Geoff Odgers, Timothy Niven and Jobe Williams made a couple of breakthroughs each.

An interesting day two is in prospect as Phillip Island strives to surpass Foster’s strong 265-run first innings total.

Still, the assignment could have been even tougher, given Foster’s scintillating start and almost 150-run opening stand.

Nyora puts pressure on Wonthaggi Club

ALLROUND talent and Nyora skipper Henry Dolphin followed up his decision to bat first against host Wonthaggi Club by making a ton, combining periods of patience with flourishing stroke play. 

He eventually fell for 101 off 201 balls, including 12 boundaries and a six.

Andot Mankhong claimed Dolphin’s prized scalp, bowling him, and finished the day with figures of 2/60 off 14 overs.

Club captain Luke McGuirk also claimed a couple of day-one wickets, conceding 78 runs off his 20 overs.

However, by and large it was a tough afternoon’s work for the Club bowlers, with Nyora posting 6/306 by the compulsory close of its innings, leaving plenty for the Wonthaggi batsmen to do on day two.

Dolphin was outshone by his keeper and opening partner Kade Anderson during their 78-run partnership, with Nyora’s captain enjoying watching the fireworks from the non-striker’s end.

Anderson blasted a compelling 65 from just 42 balls, clearing the boundary five times and hitting it on six occasions, with McGuirk undoubtedly relieved to have him stumped.

Although he didn’t score at Anderson’s scorching pace, Gavin Hackett helped keep Nyora on track with 45 off 72 balls, including seven boundaries.

A few others made good contributions as Nyora marched to its strong total.

It will be interesting to see how aggressive Wonthaggi is in reply when day-two action starts.

• A Grade, Division 1

Nerrena post 200 on day one

AFTER an overcast morning, the sun was shining around the LDCA as both A grade divisions began the penultimate round of the home and away season on Saturday. 

Nerrena welcomed OMK down the road to the Leongatha Recreation Reserve and in what was a huge top four clash, the hosts won the toss and chose to bat first. 

As he has been all season, Mitchell Clark (65 from 166) was strong at the top, posting another half century to give his side a decent springboard on day one.

The Diggers were able to fight back though and cause carnage through the hosts middle order, before Darcy Berryman (50* from 110) turned the tide back into Nerrena’s favor with a beautiful unbeaten half ton. 

Young gun Ethan Lamers (4/60 from 21.5) bowled well for the Diggers though, helping them eventually dismiss the hosts for 205, the travelling Diggers will be in pursuit of the 206-runs required for victory when they return this Saturday. 

Club bowl well to set up potential upset 

WONTHAGGI hosted Leongatha at the Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve Turf, won the toss and sent the visitors in to bat first. 

Ryan Thomas’ men made no mistake on his call either, bowling magnificently to dismiss the Scorpions inside 67 overs for 171, led well by James Sheerin (4/42 from 17). 

Madura Madusanka (45 from 84) and Dulaj Polwaththa Gallage (37 from 123) again tried their best to wrestle the innings back in Town’s favor but it wasn’t enough. 

Wonthaggi even had time bat themselves and were good enough to survive the dangerous eight over late day session with all 10 wickets in hand, finishing 0/12.

Club will now look for a further 160 runs and the win this Saturday when both sides return. 

Invy topple Imps as Donohue takes six 

INVERLOCH welcomed the Imperials down to Thompson Reserve and the visitors won the toss and chose to bat first. 

However, some poor choices and unlucky failures led to the Imps struggling with the stick, despite some starts from their top order and a nice fightback innings from Sumudu Sameera (42 from 52) they lost 5/23 to end their innings at 127 after 50 overs. 

The fantastic bowling performance from the hosts was led by Andrew Donohue (6/26 from 14) who claimed a brilliant five wicket haul, his first for the season. 

This did mean that the Stingrays had to face a risky 25-over session to finish the day’s play and it proved to be as dangerous as it sounds, as the hosts lost two wickets to finish 2/40. 

Lachlan Wright (2/7 from 10) bowled well to give the Imps a small sniff at a comeback this weekend, although Inverloch still have eight wickets in hand and require a further 88-runs for the win. 

Cougars cull Sharks to create huge upset chance

KOONWARRA L/RSL travelled over to the bridge to face Phillip Island and the hosts won the toss and chose to bat first. 

However, the first innings was all about the Cougars, who amazingly skittled the reigning premiers for just 88 inside 45 overs!

In a dismal showing for the hometown Sharks, their skipper Daniel Mock (24* from 74) stood tall but got next to no help from his teammates as Kasun Weeranga (5/10 from 12) claimed an incredible five wicket haul.

In reply, Koony was tasked with batting out the 31 overs left in the day’s play and lost three wickets in the process as Charith Keerthisinghe (1/0 from 10) bowled a remarkable spell in an attempt to muscle his side out of trouble. 

The Cougars finished the day 3/24 and require 65 more runs to complete what would be an almighty upset this Saturday.