The feeling around Geelong Cricket Club at the minute could only be described as frustration after another heartbreakingly close loss last weekend.
Batting first against Essendon, the Cats got off to the worst possible start losing in-form opener Joel Davies on the first ball of the match and, despite good contributions from captain Eammon Vines (54) and Liam Buchanan (62), could only manage a score of 194 from their 50 overs.
In reply, Essendon was cruising at 2/102 but tight spells from Davies (2/37) and Buchanan (2/27) dragged Geelong back into the match.
With one over left, Essendon was eight wickets down but managed to scramble the winning runs with one ball to spare, driving a knife not only into Geelong’s heart but also its finals hopes.
This round sees the return of two-day games with an away game at Princes Park against Carlton and coach Andre Borovec will be looking for some patience and application from the side in the longer format.
In the Geelong Cricket Association, the match of the round between North Geelong and Murgheboluc appears balanced slightly in favour of the Magpies but the Frogs are not without a chance.
Batting first last week, Murgheboluc struggled early, falling to 6/95 thanks to an excellent early spell by Cam Alford (3/14).
But Matt Middleton (50) steadied the ship with a well-made half century to see the side scrape together 170 and at least give his bowlers something to defend.
Veteran Ben Nicholls salvaged something from the day, removing Adam Costello for four.
Sam Hall and Andrew Fergusson will be the big wickets tomorrow and if they fall early it’s anyone’s game.
In division two, Highton is well in control of its match against Manifold Heights after Brandon Ross ripped through the Sharks’ top order to claim 4/45 from 14 overs as the visitors limped to 134 all out.
In reply, the Heat finished day one strongly, moving to 3/104 at stumps without too much fuss.
Manifold Heights will need to fire up early and remove the experienced Luke Daffy to have any chance of winning this one.
And in division three, Bannockburn has the slight upper hand in its clash with Guild St Mary’s although only just in a game that could see a few swings yet.
Batting first, Guild St Mary’s started well with Jeewan DeSilva (41) and Justin Larkins (25) looking comfortable.
Enter Connor Jervies who had other ideas, destroying the lower order to finish with 6/25 from 11.4 overs to see the combine crash to 135 all out.
In reply, Bannockburn moved to 20 without loss and with stumps in sight, may have relaxed a little, allowing John McLaren to snare three quick wickets to reduce it to 3/25.
Skipper Michael Allan steadied the ship and Bannockburn would have felt slightly better about things at the close play with the score on 3/54.
If Guild St Mary’s can grab a couple of quick wickets early tomorrow, this game will be on for young and old.
