Riley Harris masterclass seals it for Inverloch

B Grade, Division 1

CRICKET was back on Saturday, January 6 in the Leongatha and District Cricket Association, earlier than a lot of other comps, and they got a clear run, on a sunny day for a change.

And setting the bar high in the Inverloch versus Korumburra T20 match at the Thompson Reserve was opener Riley Harris.

Inverloch won the toss and elected to bat and Harris survived the early loss of captain Brett Debono to steady the ship with John Richardson 12 and Andot Mankhong 17 to knock up a run-a-ball 55 not out, easily the top score of the whole round in B Grade Division 1.

Korumburra made a good fist of their reply to put up the third-highest total of the weekend with the top order, including captain Trevor Allen 14, Jacob Wrigley 21 and Matt Allen 21, all having good starts. But they just fell behind in the run rate, with John Richardson the best of the Invy bowlers with 1/13 off four overs, and finished with 8/102 off their 20 overs. No one in either side hit a six.

Town hit out at Rhyll

Josh Williams 37 and Colin Bruce 25 brought it home for Leongatha Town against Phillip Island at Rhyll on Saturday after a shaky start and some controversial moments and both knocks featuring towering sixes.

However, two of soaring sixes were lobbed high over the sheds at Rhyll and into long grass on the first good day for snakes this summer.

No problem though and Town went on to pass the Sharks’ 89 total in the 19th over in an unconvincing display.

Island bowler Peter Francis took two wickets in his first over, through good catches by young Harry Arceob and a juggling snare by Luke Ashton in slips but a vigorous shout early in Bruce’s innings was turned down, much to the disgust of the Island players, and the moment, defending a small total was lost.

Other matches
In other B1 matches, OMK and Imps played out a good-standard match at the East Campus oval with OMK’s worthy target of 6/116 set up by its top order of Kris Kerr 31 (ret), Luke Jones 22 and Jaxon Hayes 19, with Robert Quaife contributing a nice cameo of 18 at the end.

Imps didn’t get the start they wanted but run-a-ball batting by captain Kristian Gray 21, Jack Ballagh 20 and Clint Honeysett 22 had them back in the boxseat midway through. However, someone needed to go on and they fell short with Jaxon Hayes 1/12 off four and Nick Auddino 3/16 off three miserly at the end.

Meeniyan was (almost) never in doubt during its match against Koonwarra-RSL at Meeniyan with Kurt Sinclair 2/9 off three and Clayton Fisher 3/9 off four cutting the heart out of the Koony batting and reducing them to 9/77 off their 20 overs.

Meeniyan survived a collapse in the top order, with Gary Webster 4, the captain Wayne Prosser out for a first-ball duck and Jai Bright 4, to run away with the match on the back of 33 by Mike Olden and Kurt Sinclair 30 not out, passing the Koony target in the 17th over.

Olden had a good game taking 2/14 and making 30.

B Grade, Division 2

Club go down four runs short

WONTHAGGI Club fell short to OMK in Saturday’s T20 match at Digger Park.

Top of the table OMK continued on its winning way after the Christmas break, starting with the toss.

OMK elected to bat first and opening batsman Russ White set the standard with 20 runs on the board before he was bowled by Alan Babu.

Sam Matthews contributed 38 not out later in the innings, which would secure the match for OMK.

Luke Anstey and Sam Liddle were Club’s multiple wicket takers.

OMK were tasked with defending 6/127.

The partnership of Mitchell Davey and captain Liam Sawyer kept Club competitive, adding 27 and 25 runs to the tally respectively.

Sawyer was bowled by Justin Greenwood at 2/37, which allowed Jayden Burns to step up to the crease.

Burns top scored at 32 not out.

A couple of ducks to Anstey and Callum Prosser – bowled by George Lomagno – slowed Club’s run.

Club was sent home four runs short at 7/123. 

Tigers outperform  the Cobras

FOSTER outclassed Korumburra at home on Saturday.

After winning the toss, Foster put on a consistent batting performance, which would prove effective against the Cobras.

Opening batsman Brandon Busuttil provided the top score of 36, with vice captain Richard Johnston, Shaun Chaseling and captain Mitchell Allott adding 21, 25 and 27 respectively.

Korumburra’s Noah Belvedere challenged Foster by taking a catch that dismissed Johnston and bowling Busuttil.

Darren Scott was Korumburra’s multiple wicket taker.

Foster finished its innings at 5/136.

A quiet innings from Korumburra saw Foster run away with the win.

Scott continued his performance with a top score of 21, but Foster refused to let anyone else break double digits.

Chaseling dominated Korumburra’s line up, taking 4/2.

Johnston also claimed two wickets.

Korumburra’s run came to an end at 7/68.

Bass undone by Nerrena bowlers 

WITH four batsmen sent off for a duck, Kilcunda-Bass conceded defeat to Nerrena.

Kilcunda-Bass started its innings strong with the opening partnership of Brett Joseph and Bradley Waldron contributing 36 and 40 runs to the account respectively.

The wickets began to topple quickly thereafter, finishing Kilcunda-Bass’ 20 overs at 9/108.

Multiple wickets were claimed by Nerrena bowlers Cameron Baudinette, Charlie Dougherty and Roy Checkley.

Scott Checkley harassed Kilcunda-Bass out on the field, taking three catches. 

Brian Gannon and Scott Checkley stepped up to the challenge and produced 34 and 35 runs respectively.

Kilcunda-Bass upped the pressure and had Nerrena nervous with a couple of quick dismissals, sending the Red Caps down the same path as the home side.

Roy Checkley ensured victory for Nerrena with 18 not out to round out the innings.

Nerrena surpassed Kilcunda-Bass with 5/112 after 18.3 overs. 

Phillip Island dominate 

PHILLIP Island proved too strong for Glen Alvie, producing a tough batting lineup on Saturday.

The Sharks’ opening partnership of Stephan McIntrye and John Manning made an impressive start to the innings with 30 and 34 runs respectively.

McIntyre was caught and bowled by Vijai Kumar Gopal at 1/63.

Michael Cleary entered, and top scored with 50 before a catch from Gopal sent him back to the sidelines.

Darcy Tiziani was Glen Alvie’s top bowler for the day, claiming 2/8.

Phillip Island completed its 20 overs with 4/154.

The target was set too high for Glen Alvie, and the home side struggled to gain enough momentum to stay competitive.

Opening batsman Archie Moore contributed a hopeful 18 runs early before he was dismissed at 3/37.

Nathan Thatcher and Gopal battled to keep Glen Alvie in the game but finished the 20 overs with 17 and 28 respectively, both not out.

Jackson Allan claimed 2/10 and captain Tarryn Allan kept the pressure up on the field by taking two catches.

Glen Alvie was defeated with a final tally of 3/82.