Local Cricket, by Jim Timberlake
Geelong Cricket Club finally got their season underway on Saturday when they travelled to Melbourne University for a one-day game.
Batting first, the Cats lost two early wickets, but from there skipper Eamonn Vines and gun recruit Brenton McDonald steadied the ship with a 55-run stand.
When they were both dismissed in quick succession though, the rot set in and a steady flow of wickets saw a promising start turn into a disappointing 151 all out.
The Geelong bowlers knew that with a small total on the board, early wickets were key, and when Tom Smith struck early, the boys were up and about.
However, despite their best efforts, the attack lacked penetration and Melbourne Uni put together a series of partnerships to cruise to a six-wicket victory.
Tomorrow, the boys return to Kardinia Park to host Fitzroy Doncaster who also lost their first game, thrashed by Camberwell.
Both teams look evenly matched, so if the Cats can be switched on and prepared to battle it out for the full 100 overs, this could be a golden opportunity to get some points on the board and kickstart their season.
The Geelong Cricket Association got underway last weekend with a full round of games completed in division one.
Reigning premier Grovedale got off to a shaky start, thrashed at home by a new look South Barwon outfit.
For the Tigers, gun recruit Glen Talarico did his bit, making 41 in a 58-run partnership with Gareth Yelland who made 39, but with no other batsman really firing, they had to settle for just 140 all out.
Nick Lynch was the star for the Swans, taking 3/19 in his first game for the club.
In reply, South lost David Linke early for just two, but from there completely dominated the remainder of the game, cruising to a nine-wicket win.
Anthony Quarrell, recruited from Newcomb and District in the off-season, made a blistering 80 not out, while Luke Ford made 54.
Grovedale will look to bounce back tomorrow, but that won’t be easy against North Geelong who had a big win against St Peter’s, while South Barwon will want to consolidate their win by backing up against Geelong City.
SOUTH BARWON v Geelong City, LARA v Murgheboluc, EAST BELMONT v St Joseph’s, Newtown and Chilwell v LEOPOLD, St Peter’s v BELL POST HILL, Grovedale v NORTH GEELONG.
In division two, all games bar one managed to get a result last week, but neither Torquay not Marshall were able to get a wicket prepared meaning they shared the points.
Of the games that that did get underway, the one between reigning premier St Albans Breakwater and Bell Park looked like being the most intriguing, with both clubs adding a bevy of stars to their line-ups over the winter.
For the Dragons, the addition of the Lymer brothers paid immediate dividends, Shane looking good with a handy 12 at number 3, while skipper Michael knocked up a classy 42 in a solid partnership with Ash Carter who top scored with 48.
For the Saints, Sean Bogan was the pick of the bowlers with 3/35, but by the end of the first innings, Bell Park looked favourites with 237 on the board.
They showed why immediately after the tea break, taking two quick wickets, before John Irvine and star recruit Andrew Fergusson set about resurrecting the run chase. But when they fell for 23 and 32 respectively, things looked grim.
Lucas Cameron made a fighting 44 at number eight, but it was all in vain as his side was dismissed for 188, handing six crucial early-season points to Bell Park.
Tomorrow, Bell Park plays Geelong West which lost last week to Alexander Thomson. It would be hard to see the Dragons lowering their colours after such a dominant first up win.
Meanwhile, St Albans Breakwater will take on Marshall. The Saints look the better side on paper, and will benefit from having a game under their belt, while Marshall are still an unkown and might be slightly underdone. All of this points to a St Albans Breakwater win.
MANIFOLD HEIGHTS v Thomson, Modewarre v HIGHTON, Alexander Thomson v NEWCOMB AND DISTRICT, BELL PARK v Geelong West, Marshall v ST ALBANS BREAKWATER, Guild Saints v TORQUAY.
