BY JIM TIMBERLAKE
GEELONG Cricket Club went down to Prahran then Essendon in a disastrous Twenty20 double header at Warrnambool last Saturday.
The Cats batsman failed to get the job done in both games. Set just 117 for victory against Prahran after Jake Reed (4/15) starred with the ball, Geelong was all-out for just 83.
Geelong batted first against Essendon, making a bright start thanks to Khalid Sawas (42) and Hayden Butterworth (27).
But they soaked up a lot of balls and the middle-order was unable to capitalise, with the Cats reaching a small total of 115.
In reply, Essendon lost regular wickets but kept the scoreboard ticking over to record a three-wicket win.
Tomorrow Geelong takes on Footscray Edgewater and Melbourne at the Albert Ground.
The Cats must bounce back to keep their spot in the top eight intact.
In Geelong Cricket Association, Lara brought Murgheboluc back down to earth with a thud in a crucial division one match.
The Frogs had been in good form but Lara dismissed them for just 95, with only Michael Grozdanovski (30) and Susipsara Dehigaspitiya (22) showing resistance.
Danny Hughes (4/40) and Brenden Miller (4/18) were the pick of the Cats’ bowlers.
In reply, Andy Hughes (50 not-out) and Chris Bambury (40 not-out) ensured Lara gained first-innings points.
With the possibility of outright points, Lara will go for the kill tomorrow.
Bell Post Hill looks to have the upper-hand in division two against Newcomb & District.
Winning the toss and batting first, the Panthers started well as Tim Sells (20) and Keagan Barker (36) put on 58 for the first wicket.
Ryan Mills (60) held the middle order together but at 6/128 before Ben Muir(27) and Anthony Foord (17) pushed the score to 215.
For the Dinos, Clinton Ford (5/42) toiled for 24 overs, while speedster Richard Stanyon snared (2/59).
Newcomb & District has it all to play this weekend for but will be hard-pressed to chase down 215.
In division three, Lethbridge won the toss and asked Little River to bat first in a game of vast importance to the finals hopes of both sides.
When Paul Stewart (six wickets) reduced the Redbacks to 3/27, their decision to bowl seemed sound.
But from there it was all Little River, with Wade Archer (71) and Mitchell Gavin (70) combining for a 137-run stand.
Michael Ebborn (25) kept the momentum going for his side to finish on 8/245.
Lethbridge is unlikely to chase down that many runs, which might cause some reflection on the decision to bowl first.
