MDU skittle Imps for the win

• B Grade, Division 1

THE Imperials welcomed MDU down to East Campus Oval and the visitors won the toss and chose to bat first. 

In an even first innings, the Demons lost a couple of early wickets before recovering to chug along quite nicely and keep the runs turning throughout their 40 overs, although the Imps were able to take regular wickets at the same time. 

The visiting captain Craig Hoober (33 from 69) top scored for his side, as his opposing captain Kristian Gray (3/27 from 6) claimed the most wickets with the ball. 

In the end, MDU finished 7/129 and set the hosts 130 to win and despite early trouble they looked as though they were well on their way to doing so. 

When the Imps lost their skipper, it all felt apart ultimately, as 4/85 turned into 10/113 as the hosts lost 7/28 to fall by 16-runs. 

The Demons will look to ride this form into this weekend when they host the in-form Inverloch, while the Imperials will go on the road to face OMK. 

Stingrays cruise to victory behind Rankin and Debono

IN A top big clash between two undefeated teams OMK headed down to Thompson Reserve to face Inverloch and the visitors won the toss and chose to bat first. 

The Stingrays struck the first blow, Callan O’Flynn (1/17 from 4) removed Adam Busana (17 from 27) but it was all OMK after that as Mitch Sawyers (38 from 112) and James Paterson (37* from 53) began rebuilding their innings. 

Sawyers battled on with David Creed (19 from 27) and moved the score over 100-runs since the loss of their first wicket before Sawyers was dismissed at 2/125. 

The hosts were able to claim a couple more wickets later in the innings but a great late cameo from Jaxon Hayes (24* from 15) helped them reach 4/179 after their 40 overs. 

In reply, the Stingrays lost David Harris (10) early but never looked back after that cruising to victory with nine wickets left in the shed. 

Brett Debono (90* from 136) and Lewis Rankin (54* from 107) worked the innings beautifully, both notching half centuries in a match winning 163-run stand. 

The half century is Debono’s second of the year, both have come unbeaten, while Rankin’s 54 not out is his highest career score on return from a knee injury, a marvellous effort. 

The Stingrays will look for another win this weekend in Mee niyan, while the Diggers will host the Imperials. 

Cougars dominate Cobras

KORUMBURRA hosted Koonwarra L/RSL at the Korumburra Recreation Reserve and the visitors won the toss and chose to bat first. 

The first 25 overs were quite even, as the Cougars reached 68 runs but lost five wickets, however the wicket of Michael Thomas (9) in the twenty-fifth over was the turning point. 

The Koony’ skipper James Rushton (62 from 51) was determined to break the game open and that he did, as he and Nathan Trotto (55* from 42) both blasted half centuries in a 107-run stand to see Koony finish 6/202.

Shaun McKinnon (4/50 from 8) was the pick of the bowlers for ‘Burra. 

In reply, the Cobras just could not find the same flow to their innings losing regular wickets to finish 125-runs short, their skipper Trevor Allen (22 from 34) top scored for his side. 

The Cougars will ride this momentum into this week’s clash with Nerrena at home, while the Cobras will have the bye. 

Nerrena had the bye. 

• B Grade, Division 2

Spirited Wonthaggi chase falls short in Newhaven

KURT Lane’s dashing century propelled Phillip Island to an imposing 233 run total, with the home side losing just three wickets on a tough day for the Wonthaggi bowlers.

It was a different picture early in the innings, with Phillip Island’s decision to bat looking shaky when it fell to 2/30, with both openers already sent on their way.

However, Lane wasn’t about to go into his shell, blasting 110 off just 63 balls, helping himself to 11 boundaries and seven sixes in an innings that ensured spectators couldn’t afford a nap.

Andrew Tolley also finished not out, capitalising on the 26 balls he faced with 40 runs.

Sean Roche gave Club early encouragement dismissing Phillip Island opener Connor Epifano for a duck and finishing with the solid figures of 1/28 off eight overs.

Wonthaggi started its reply well, with its opening combination taking the score to 29, but the loss of William Speed for nine was the first wicket in a disastrous slide of 3/0.

Roche again came to the fore, this time scoring a brisk 64 at slightly better than a run a ball, with skipper and keeper Luke Sibley and Heath Dobbie other strong performers for Club.

However, Wonthaggi’s determined chase fell 22 runs short of catching Phillip Island’s imposing total.

Tolley’s 3/15 off just over six overs proved decisive for the winner, with the dangerous Roche one of his victims.

Harry Arceo (2/18) and Peter Cleary (2/35) were the other multiple wicket takers for the Sharks.

Roberts drives Nerrena win over Town

LACHLAN Roberts flayed the Leongatha Town bowlers, with the Nerrena opener’s 126 not out coming from just 109 balls and including 21 fours and a maximum.

Mitch Croatto was Nerrena’s next biggest contributor with the willow, notching 36 runs.

Colin Bruce finished with 1/18 off his maximum over allowance in a tidy display for Leongatha Town on a day when his teammates battled to contain Nerrena’s momentum, more specifically that of Roberts.

Luke Bowman batted in spirited fashion in the Scorpions’ chase, finishing with an attacking 79 not out but couldn’t find the support needed to enable Leongatha Town to pinch the game.

Bruce followed up his disciplined bowling with a score of 28, but that was comfortably Leongatha’s next best behind Bowman, with Town eventually falling 78 runs short of victory.

Ryan Giliam, Patrick Johnston and Gerard Murphy finished with a couple of dismissals each in the strong Nerrena display.

Kilcunda Bass comfortable against Glen Alvie

PAUL Palmer’s 45 not out helped Kilcunda Bass to shake off a wobbly position earlier in its run chase to comfortably beat Glen Alvie.

Palmer earlier helped restrict Glen Alvie, removing its top two scorers Andrew Brown (51) and captain Jay Tiziani (44), on his way to 3/24 off seven overs.

His teammates Rohan Duff and Chris Peckett grabbed a couple of wickets each, combining for 16 overs at a cost of just 36 runs.

The winner ultimately needed a little under 26 overs to pass the 125-run target required, but after losing a couple of wickets on 17 and two more with the score on 60, there was still plenty to do.

Brett Joseph’s dismissal had Kilcunda Bass 5/76, but that was the last of the joy for the Glen Alvie bowlers.

Brad Waldron (21 not out) combined effectively with Palmer to ensure the lower order didn’t need to panic.

Stephen Leman’s 29 was also important for the triumphant Kilcunda Bass.

Andrew Brown was the only multiple wicket taker for the beaten Glen Alvie, but his six overs yielded 39 runs.