Local Cricket, by Jim Timberlake
Any realistic hopes the Geelong Cricket Club may have had of participating in this season’s Premier Cricket finals were wiped away last Saturday as they were thrashed by a ruthless Melbourne Cricket Club.
Following a two week break over Christmas, the Cats hosted Melbourne and after being asked to bat first were in immediate trouble at 3/23 on a flat wicket.
Skipper Eamonn Vines was resolute with a fine 66, but needed a partner to stick with him, which he found in Tom Treble who top scored with 85. Liam Buchanan chimed in with 33, but when the tail failed to wag, the side was left with just 216 to defend.
When the early wickets they so desperately needed failed to materialise, it was Vines that stepped up with a run out.
However, from then on all the bowlers struggled to have any impact, as Melbourne cruised to a nine wicket win.
Star teenager Will Pucovski made an undefeated 116 to continue a run of form that may see him rewarded with a state call up sooner rather than later.
The Cats’ task doesn’t get any easier, as they will host fourth placed Dandenong over the next two Saturdays, and the club will be looking for small improvements and some fighting spirit, rather than worrying about the end result.
In the Geelong Cricket Association, Grovedale have moved into outright premiership favouritism after accounting for East Belmont last weekend.
The Tigers bowled first on a wicket with a surprising green tinge, and struck immediately to reduce the Lions strong top order to 4/62. A series of small partnerships ensued, but with regular wickets falling, East could only manage to face 45 overs for a total of 166.
Gareth Yelland again took the best bowling figures with 4/16, while Chris Young took 3/31.
In reply, the Tigers innings played out much the same, as they fell to 4/35, David Lineen and Mark Freijah both picking up two early wickets.
But in-form keeper/batsman Tobias Hogg held firm with a series of willing allies, the tall left hander making a resolute 73 not out to guide his side to a thrilling one wicket win.
The only problem for skipper Barry Tsitas in their march to the flag might be the make up of his side, with a couple of players struggling to have an impact of late.
The likes of Brendan Allen with five runs and two wickets for the season might get one last chance to prove their worth this round as the Tigers take on Newtown & Chillwell at Queens Park in a game they will be expected to win.
GROVEDALE v Newtown & Chilwell, MURGHEBOLUC v Bell Post Hill, GEELONG CITY v St Peters, ST JOSEPHS v Leopold, Lara v NORTH GEELONG, EAST BELMONT v South Barwon.
In division two, with just four rounds remaining, Bell Park has cleared out to sit comfortably atop the table.
Torquay sit in second, but with a couple of very winnable games coming up, they will surely play finals.
But from there down, there are five teams fighting for the remaining four spots, and a case could be made for all of them to not only make the finals, but genuinely push for the flag.
The most crucial encounter this round will be at Godfrey Street Oval where Thomson host Marshall. Both teams have shown inconsistent form so far this season, but they will need to be at their best if they are to claim a vital six points from this one.
Thomson came back from the Christmas break looking refreshed as they accounted for Geelong West, evergreen all rounder Grant Dew taking three wickets as they restricted the Rams to just 193, before Hamish Coulson led the run chase with 55 not out, Jayden Hicks chipping in with 44 in a five wicket win.
Marshall looked forward to testing themselves against Bell Park, but started badly to be 3/5 before Jake Dubbledam with 63 lead a fightback which saw the Bears post 140.
The Dragons cruised early and looked like running away with an easy win in front of Marshall’s past players and sponsors. But the big crowd rallied the troops, with the visitors crashing from 1/78 to 5/97 as the game sprung to life.
A resolute 33 not out to Jarrod Andrews was enough to see Bell Park retain their unbeaten status though.
Marshall weren’t disgraced by any means, but they will want to find their best form rather quickly as a loss here could be disastrous.
Thomson have enjoyed the return of import Louis Bentley, and look to be a more even side on paper, so they might just go in slight favourites in this one.
THOMSON v Marshall, HIGHTON v St Albans Breakwater, NEWCOMB & DISTRICT v Geelong West, Modewarre v TORQUAY, Alexander Thomson v MANIFOLD HEIGHTS, BELL PARK v Guild Saints.
