By JIM TIMBERLAKE
Geelong Cricket Club isn’t doing things the easy way this season and last Saturday was no exception, with the side managing to turn what could have been a comfortable victory into a one-wicket nail-biter.
Chasing the Camberwell Magpies 183, the Cats were cruising when Aussie stars Aaron Finch and Andrew McDonald guided them to 5/121.
However, the loss of both players saw the side’s chances of victory plummet with the score stuck on 7/136.
But experienced duo Liam Buchanan and Luke Muller staged an important fightback, moving the score to 173 before Buchanan was dismissed for a hard-fought 30.
With scores tied, another wicket fell, meaning another wicket would result in a heart-breaking tie.
Corey Ogle and Dylan Moroney scored the one run necessary for a welcome and morale-boosting win.
The next two weekends see four days of Twenty20 cricket, starting with Footscray Edgewater at Geelong Cricket Ground tomorrow.
A good showing over the next two weeks could see the Cats back in finals contention.
In the Geelong Cricket Association, Grovedale is well-placed to record an important win against Newtown and Chilwell, after Tobias Hogg found some form with an excellent 106 not out, helping guide his side to 4/291.
He found good support from youngster Michael McNeel who made 41 not out.
The Tigers know a disciplined bowling performance tomorrow against a shallow Two Blues batting line-up will get the chocolates.
In division two, Bell Park holds the dominant position in their game against Waurn Ponds after Mitch Trask took 3/29 in the Eagles’ total of 175 all out.
In reply, the Dragons cruised to 2/78, with Trask again in the action, finishing day one on 38 not out.
If they can manage a steady start tomorrow, Bell Park will easily win this one.
And in division three, Guild St Marys’ middle order has given them the slight upper hand against Corio Bay, helping post a competitive 202 after being in big trouble early.
Skipper Steven Kelly top scored with 71, while for the hosts, gun bowler Timmy Thompson took 4/51 from a marathon 20 overs.
This game will go down to the wire, and with both sides desperately needing the points to stay in finals contention, if there’s a game worth going to watch tomorrow, this will be it.
