Local Cricket, by Jim Timberlake
Geelong Cricket Club’s season ended with a disappointing loss to Fitzroy Doncaster last weekend.
The Cats were boosted pre game with the news that skipper Eamonn Vines would in fact be available following his early return from state duties.
Bowling first, Geelong soon had the top placed side on the ropes, reducing it at one stage to 7/116, with Brenton McDonald (5/34) doing most of the damage.
But a rear-guard action from the tail helped Fitzroy Doncaster claw its way to 185.
The Cats had the chance to knock a sizeable chunk off their target on day one but unfortunately the top order succumbed to the pressure as the side went to stumps four wickets down, still needing just over 130 more runs the next day.
Sunday resumed much the same as Saturday had finished, with regular wickets falling, meaning the side fell well short of its target, dismissed for just 110.
It was a disappointing way to bow out. However, to make the finals was a huge tick for the club, particularly after losing its first few games of the season when another wasted year looked likely.
With some really talented players starting to show what they are capable of, the club will look forward to next season with much enthusiasm.
In Geelong Cricket Association it’s grand final time, and in division one raging favourite North Geelong will take on East Belmont at Stinton Oval, Queen’s Park.
The Magpies put together a solid win against Lara last week when dismissing the Cats for 163, coach Nathan Fitzpatrick taking 4/52 while Andrew Fergusson and Shaun Kingwell both took two wickets.
In reply, North Geelong was made to work hard but Curtly Balshaw (47) knuckled down and, with help from Sam Hall (24) and Braden Szponar (22), went on to record a convincing five-wicket win.
East Belmont earned its spot in the big one with a completely dominant performance against Grovedale.
The Tigers won the toss and batted first but could only manage 121 runs. Alex Willerton (3/30) was the pick of the bowlers but it was wicketkeeper Locky Inglis who had everyone reaching for the record books when he took seven catches and one stumping in an incredible performance.
In reply, East was barely troubled, cruising to an eight wicket win on the back of Andrew Baars (54*) and Matt Lineker (51) showing great maturity.
Both North Geelong and East Belmont have been in the mix for the past few seasons without being able to get the job done, so both will be desperate to win this.
North Geelong has been the dominant side all season and will deservedly start favourite but will need to bury a few ghosts of finals past to get the job done.
In division two, Bell Park moved through to the grand final with a fairly comprehensive win against Marshall last week.
The Dragons posted 226 on Saturday, Daniel Mclean top-scoring with 44.
On Sunday, they raised the pressure even further and strangled Marshall out of the contest, the Bears eventually dismissed for just 124.
The other side to progress was Torquay in probably the upset of the season against Bell Post Hill.
Torquay batted first and could only post 157, Tom Jefferson top-scoring with 69.
In reply, the Panthers looked like doing it easily when they reached 2/72 but again it was Jefferson (3/9) that proved the difference as the favourites were dismissed for just 132.
Bell Park will start the grand final as favourite but Torquay will go in with a nothing-to-lose attitude. It could just be that the side batting first has the upper hand in what will be a very important toss.
And in division three, Thomson goes into the grand final as red hot favourite after beating Alexander Thomson.
The Tigers batted first and posted 228, thanks mainly to Jayden Hicks 69. At 3/100 in reply, the Vikings were well in it but succumbed to the pressure to be all out for 156.
Meanwhile, Modewarre thrashed Geelong West, making a mammoth 283 on Saturday before ripping through the Rams for just 61 on day two.
There is no doubt Modewarre at its best can take it up to the favourites. But we haven’t seen Modewarre’s best often enough, meaning that Thomson should have enough poise to withstand the pressure and get the job done.
