Leopold’s bid for an outright win fell just short on the final day of the Geelong Cricket Association Division 2 competition on Saturday 7 March.
Despite missing out on maximum points and third place on the ladder, Leopold still scraped into the finals by 0.21 points.
After being bowled out for 137 in reply to Alexander Thomson’s 113, Jake Le Maistre (3/18) spearheaded another top bowling performance with the Vikings all out for 126 in their second innings.
That left Leopold with 103 to make from 15 overs, but it could only manage 7/90.
Alexander Thomson captain Zach Mevissen couldn’t have done much more for his side, making 45 and 54 and taking 6/42 and 5/48.
Tyler James led Bell Post Hill’s win against Geelong West with 6/58 from 21 overs. The Panthers won by 106 and finished third on the ladder, leapfrogging Leopold by just 0.41 points.
Geelong City fell agonisingly short of a finals spot even with a handsome win against Torquay. Darcy Pearson made 91 for the Sharks, who declared at 8/259 and set out to take as many wickets as possible for extra points in the hope that they could overtake Leopold. Torquay ended at 4/59 with Byron Taylor taking three wickets, but City missed out by just 0.21 points.
Highton had batting practice having already overtaken Bell Park in pole position last week. Isaac Bird continued on to 100 while Lewis Campbell (92), James Gillard (65), Nathan McCoach (49 not out) and No 11 Chris Young (45 not out) spent time at the crease with the Heat reaching a whopping 9/515.
CORIO defeated Marshall outright in Division 3 and finished fourth on the ladder.
Resuming at 2/33 after 22 wickets fell on day one, Marshall was all out for 110 with three-wicket hauls to Mitchell Humm, Hayden Burns and Anthony Grace.
The Devils knocked over the runs comfortably, ending on 1/84 with Grace unbeaten on 53 from 45 balls.
Waurn Ponds Deakin wrapped up the minor premiership, reaching 3/183 in response to Lethbridge’s 177. Noah Berry (58 not out) and Jackson Ellis (57 not out) played well.
Modewarre did what it had to by defeating Thomson, but missed finals. Modda made 7/201 in reply to Thomson’s 200 with Billy Bernet making a rapid 56 from 51 deliveries.
Bannockburn upset second placed Murgheboluc with Jamieson Jervies (4/18) and Tanner Hay (4/71 from 29 overs) the stars.
NICK Pratt’s 5/18 helped Manifold Heights to a win against Meredith that sewed up fourth spot in Division 4.
Luke Wright (5/10), Ben Collier (4/27) and Nick Fairchild (60) guided second placed Little River to a big win against St Albans/Breakwater. Damien Biemans (37 and 3/30) gave it his all for the Supersaints.
Minor premiers Newcomb & District (4/158) had to work hard to beat Guild St Mary’s (151) with Blake Ritchie (55) and Nathan Keevil (3/15) the standouts.
