Thriller under lights at Dalyston

A Grade, Division 2

KILCUNDA-Bass’ A Grade Division Two cricketers had already had the perfect weekend, and it was still only Friday night.

The Sharks faced off against Wonthaggi Club under lights on Friday at the fantastic Dalyston Recreation Reserve and managed to hold off a late challenge by Club the win by just four runs.

Kilcunda-Bass won the toss and elected to bat and were given the perfect start by Cam Davidson 44 and Aaron Conron 34 in a first-wicket partnership of 79.

The pair hit out hard early, not always getting value for their shots on the lush outfield, and going close to being caught or run out on a number of occasions but surviving for more than 20 overs before Luke McGuirk finally got the initial breakthrough.

Thereafter, there was a flurry of wickets to McGuirk and Heath Dobbie, after a nice bit of work behind the stumps by Jy Hull, and the Killy-Bass run rate was contained to a gettable total.

Matthew Grayson 27 not out and the captain Jaydan Tregear 22 added useful runs in the middle stages and they finished with 5/156 off 40 overs.

Club had the more difficult assignment, chasing a decent total under lights and it didn’t start well.

They slumped to 4/13 in short order and it looked like being an early night before Jy Hull came to the crease and played an heroic knock in the circumstances, managing 61 himself and sharing seven partnerships as Club tried to resurrect their chances after a disastrous start.

While he was still involved, they looked a faint chance, but wickets continued to tumble with four multiple wicket takers for Kilcunda-Bass including Todd Smith 3, the captain Ryley Duff 2, Chris Peckett 2 and Cameron Davidson 2.

In the end, Club fell an agonising four runs short still with plenty overs to play.

As an experiment though, the night was a big success with a good crowd turning out after work to see the spectacle under Dalyston’s excellent lighting system. 

Koony take down the Demons
KOONWARRA L/RSL hosted MDU at the Leongatha Recreation Reserve and were able to come away with the 35-run win. 

The Demons won the toss and sent the Cobras in to bat first and dismissed both of their openers for low totals, but young gun Harry Hoekstra (50 off 61) was bold at number three, reinvigorating his team’s innings which was buoyed by a late Sam Sperling (34 off 43) cameo to see them reach 6/171. 

Five Dees took wickets and in reply, they found runs from their top order but not from anywhere else, Mitch McGrath (46 off 91) top scoring as Callum Buckland (4/18 from 4) and the Cougars bowled them out for 136 to seal the win. 

Alvie get it done in Nyora 
GLEN Alvie have kept touch with the top three after going on the road to Nyora and coming home with the 16-run win. 

The Alvie won the toss and chose to bat first and it was all Stephen Kennedy (63* off 47), the visiting number four belting an unbeaten half century to see his side to an admirable total of 6/166. 

Mitch Rowe (2/30 from 8) bowled well for the home side, who in reply, just never got going and ran out of overs in their chase, finishing 5/150 after their 40 overs. 

Jake Hackett (40* off 45) was the standout with the bat in the second innings, while Matthew Dakin (2/45 from 8) was superb with the ball. 

Toner and the Tigers blast Nerrena 
FOSTER has made a big statement once again, going a win clear on top of the table after a 70-run win against Nerrena. 

Tigers’ captain Josh Toner (131* off 111) won the toss and chose to bat first and absolutely made it count, blasting an unbeaten century to see his side over 200, posting 4/233 after their 40 overs. 

Zack Trease (3/43 from 8) was excellent with the ball, taking three of Nerrena’s four wickets. 

In reply, Trease’s men gave it a good crack but never really got close to the big 234 run target, falling short and running out of overs, finishing 8/163. 

Tyson Harris (32 off 80) did his best to bring them close, but Jack Weston (2/26 from 8) and the Tigers were just too strong, Toner (1/15 from 4) picking up a wicket to cap off his best on ground showing.