By Jim Timberlake
GEELONG Cricket Club put in a solid performance last Saturday on day one of its first two-day match of the premier season.
After travelling to Fitzroy Doncaster, Geelong was asked to bat first in a tactic that looked to pay immediate dividends for the hosts when the Cats’ top order crashed to 2/4, with Eamonn Vines and James Crosthwaite back in the pavilion in the blink of an eye.
But from there, Khalid Sawas (70) and Hayden Butterworth (25) set about restoring order, the former unfortunately run out in sight of a deserved century.
From then on bat dominated ball in a series of partnerships showing that the young batting order was prepared to grind it out.
Michael Condy (59) was the best of the lower order, while Luke Muller (37) and Justin McPhee (34) also did their bit to see Geelong finish day one on 7/291.
With an in-form bowling line-up, the Cats are a big chance to claim their third game of the season this Saturday.
Round five of Geelong Cricket Association season features an almost mini-final between two unlikely combatants.
Perennial finalist Geelong West has slumped to ninth on the ladder with three losses already.
This week it plays Geelong City, which, despite some promising performances, has also suffered three losses to date to find itself 10th on the table.
Ironically, both sides have lost to the newly promoted Murgheboluc, so both will be out to not only restore some points on the field but some pride off it as well.
For City, Richard Oliver has been the standout performer with 296 runs already, although only four came last game.
For the Rams, only Mike Chapple and Damien Vassiliou have scored in excess of 100.
Tim Wight and Jarran Cook both have nine wickets, indicating the Geelong West top order holds the key here.
If it can get its act together and put some runs the board the Rams should win.
Other selections: St Joseph’s v EAST BELMONT, North Geelong v LARA, MURGHEBOLUC v Leopold, Highton v SOUTH BARWON, Newtown & Chilwell v GROVEDALE,
In division two, the match of the round is clearly between reigning premier Newcomb & District and ladder leader Thomson.
For the Dinos, skipper Clinton Ford welcomed back overseas gun Richard Stanyon last week, the big quick having an immediate impact against Marshall when he removed both opening batsmen in quick time.
Meanwhile, the Tigers had a fantastic win last week over Bell Post Hill, highlighted by a four-wicket haul and an undefeated knock of 14 by Adam Bliss in a tightly fought match.
The Tigers will go in favourites as they’re building a formidable line-up but Newcomb & District has some serious talent as well and might just be capable of an upset.
Selections: Alexander Thomson v TORQUAY, Guild St Mary’s v ST ALBAN’S BREAKWATER, Waurn Ponds v MARSHALL, Manifold Heights v MODEWARRE, THOMSON v Newcomb & District, BELL POST HILL v St Peter’s.
In division three last week Teesdale showed why a team’s fixture can have just a big an impact on a its performances as actual on-field efforts.
In the first two-dayer of the season, the Roos managed to defeat North Shore, which, despite its best efforts, is seriously struggling.
One wonders whether the teams scheduled to only play the Seagulls in one-day fixtures only wouldn’t mind the opportunity to attempt an outright result because the points could prove crucial in terms of finals standings come season’s end.
Bell Park and Inverleigh, on the other hand, get to play them twice in a one and two-day matches.
The GCA’s fondness for the shorter forms of the game brings some inequalities hard to ignore.
Selections: Winchelsea v BELL PARK, Meredith v TEESDALE, CORIO v Inverleigh, North Shore v LITTLE RIVER, Shelford v BANNOCKBURN, Lethbridge bye.
