Stingrays superb on day one as cricket beats the weather

AFTER a season of one-day cricket in 2021/22, two-day cricket returned to the Leongatha District Cricket Association, although only for those playing A grade as B and C grade games were cancelled once again due to minimal ground availability. 

The league’s two A grade divisions went ahead and there was finally cricket played following a two-week absence due to rain abandoning games. 

Due to the condition of the Outtrim surface, this one was moved to the Inverloch football ground where OMK won the toss and chose to bat first. 

Debuting young guns Rhys Newman and Riley Harris, the Stingrays soon made the Diggers regret their decision at the toss with some sensational line and length bowling. 

Callum Asbury (4/24 from 12) led from the front for Invy’ dismissing Ryan Williams for just 2 early, before second-gamer Harry Butcher (2/7 from 8) came on and tore the game wide open. 

Butcher claimed his first A-grade wicket and it was a massive one, getting OMK captain Koby Brann caught at mid-off for 11, and then sending Jacob Lamers back to the sheds for 12 soon after to have the Diggers 3/49 and needing some consolidation, However, it never came 

The class and smarts of Andrew Donohue (4/26 from 13.4) combined with Asbury to claim 7/37 to dismiss OMK for just 86 in an incredible display of bowling, just 45 overs through the day. 

Donohue’s spell included a clever set up to dismiss the danger man Ethan Lamers (42 from 102) stumped by Jack Butcher, Lamers was again a standout for the Diggers.

With 29 overs left in the day, the Stingrays were sent in to chase the 87 required for the win, and lost both openers without scoring in a twist of the tide. 

However, David Newman (14* from 83) and Andrew Donohue (21* from 79) were able to steady the ship and find stumps unbeaten. 

Play will resume in Inverloch this Saturday with the Stingrays needing a further 46-runs to claim their first win of the young season. 

Cougars survive early trouble against Town

IN A game that was moved to Poowong Recreation Reserve due to the limited grounds available, Town won the toss and chose to bowl first. 

This spelled early trouble for Koony’ as they lost 2/1 to open the day’s play. 

They were able to show great guts and dig in to recover from the early setback though, as opener Ben Davidson (46 from 168) put together a strong 43-run partnership with his skipper Ben Walsh (23 from 68). 

The Cougars were able to keep the score moving but eventually last year’s grand finalists were able to show their strength once again taking 5 for 62 to have to slow the Cougars down and have them finish 9/162 at stumps. 

Davidson top scored for Koony, while Mudassar Riaz (2/29 from 15) and Lachlan Gill (2/25 from 8) were standouts with the ball for ‘Gatha. 

The two teams will head back to Poowong this Saturday as Town look to chase the 163 required for victory. 

Semi-Final replay a ripper in Cowes

IN A rematch of last season’s Semi Final, Wonthaggi travelled to Phillip Island to take on the reigning premiers. 

Island won the toss and chose to bat, but it was the visitors who reaped the spoils early, as young gun Joel Brann (3/34 from 12) had the dangerous duo of Lachie Cleeland and Daniel Mock caught behind for just 11 and 0 respectively. 

Jarrod Black fell soon after to have the score 3/33, before Shiran Rathnayake (17 from 37) and Thomas Keily (42 from 41) looked like saving the Sharks with a 30-run stand, until Rathnayake was too caught behind. 

Keily continued on with Kohen Beaumont (16 form 58) until they both fell as James Sheerin (3/47 from 23) got his first and Brann snagged his third. 

At 6/108, Club had a genuine chance to make a real statement and hold the champs to a low total, but an innings-saving 50-run stand between Brodie Johnston (34 from 103) and Marcus Baxter (32 from 39) propelled the hosts back into contention of a decent score. 

Club were able to clean up the tail though, taking 4/34 to finish off the innings and dismiss Phillip Island for 192, making for quite an even chase. 

With just 10 overs to play on day one, Wonny’ went into bat needing 193 for the win, and unfortunately lost captain and star opener Ryan Thomas LBW for just five. 

Ryan Birkett (15* from 35) dug in with Matthew Waller (3* from 18) to find stumps on an exciting first day. 

Both teams will head back to Cowes this Saturday with Club needing a further 168-runs for victory. 

Clark does it again for Nerrena as Sameera takes 5

THE Imperials hosted Nerrena at East Campus on Saturday and the Imps’ won the toss and decided to send the visitors in to bat.

In an interesting innings, it was Mitchell Clark (116 from 198) again doing it all for his side, with a marvellous century, his second in just three games this season, a sensational start for him. 

Aside from the gun opener’s shining knock, there wasn’t much to write home about with Hayden Funnell (14 from 46) the only other batsman reaching double figures on the afternoon.

In saying this, the hosts did bowl exceptionally well led by Samudu Sameera (5/58 from 25) who claimed a brilliant five-wicket haul in a huge 25 over spell. 

Lachlan Wright (3/44 from 12.2) also stood out as the visitors posted 185 and the Imperials were sent in to survive the final eight overs of the day’s play. 

Their openers did so and will resume this Saturday afternoon needing 162 to win at East Campus Oval.