Local Cricket, by Jim Timberlake
Geelong Cricket Club has consolidated its position in the top eight with a commanding four-wicket win over Ringwood.
Set 280 to win, the Cats got off to a brilliant start with Mitch Reid (95) starring at the top of the order, while opening partner Tom Treble (50) and Eamonn Vines (46) leant support to set a solid foundation.
Four quick wickets with 65 runs still required sent shivers through the dressing room, however Angus Boyd (44*) and Dom McGlinchey (29*) steadied the ship and saw the side home to a memorable win.
So Geelongs find itself sixth on the ladder and taking on fifth placed Essendon at Windy Hill this weekend in a Saturday/Sunday two-day game.
Tim Ludeman should return from Big Bash duties, which will give the Geelong team a boost in this crucial game.
In Geelong Cricket Association, two important games will resume tomorrow, and they couldn’t be further apart in terms of closeness.
East Belmont will resume at 1/34 in pursuit of Grovedale’s 220, a total the Tigers will be confident of defending but at the same time feeling should be a lot higher.
The Tigers raced to 0/106 in just 30 overs with Anthony Quarrell (93) and Michael Kelson (56) both on fire early.
However, star East Belmont leg spinner Chris Williams (5/49) spun his side back into it with another masterful display. With support from young paceman Zac Walter (3/33), the Lions avoided what could have been a massive target.
Gareth Yelland struck back late on day one to dismiss Andrew Baars but he and his fellow bowlers will need to take some early wickets tomorrow if they are to win on what looks like a flat, slow wicket.
Meanwhile, North Geelong has already secured first innings points against Murgheboluc at Osborne Park and will press for outright points tomorrow in what would be the Frogs’ second outright loss in as many games.
Nathan Fitzpatrick (3/30) and Andrew Fergusson (3/4) did the damage with the ball, while Adam Costello and Damien Vassiliou both made 24 in what seemed to be a nervous run chase as the Magpies passed the modest target of 86 six wickets down.
Murgheboluc will be looking to bat all day tomorrow and it could be a bit of pride that helps them dig deep and avoid another embarrassing outright defeat.
In division two, Marshall looks well-placed to defeat Highton and if it can do so, the top four may well be set in stone.
The Bears dominated day one with the ball, Jake Dubbledam (3/40) and Brad Greenwood (3/25) leading the way as the Heat could only manage a measly 139.
Alistair Ross (83) stood tall with the bat, before claiming the two wickets to fall late in the day, reducing Marshall to 2/24 at stumps. Tomorrow will no doubt be a tense affair but Marshall, despite patchy form, still looks to have enough batting depth to get the job done.
And in division three, Modewarre has a golden opportunity to cement top spot when it resumes at 2/11 in pursuit of Thomson’s 106.
Nathan Saunders (5/27) bowled immaculately in his 28.5 over spell, sending down 13 maidens in the process.
He will resume at the crease tomorrow on zero not out and may well need to be the hero with the bat as well as the ball.
