Local Cricket, by Jim Timberlake
Geelong Cricket Club bounced back to form last Saturday with a commanding first day performance against Casey South Melbourne.
After being asked to bowl first, the Cats started brightly with Jake Reed snaring an early wicket, before a series of solid partnerships ensued, at one stage Casey South Melbourne reaching a threatening 4/178.
However, the leg spin of Brenton McDonald slowly wore them down, as they were eventually dismissed for 244 in 81 overs.
McDonald finished with the outstanding figures of 6/75 from 30 overs, the gun all-rounder has been a great recruit for the Cats this year, and is really leading the way with his skill and experience.
To finish the day’s play, Geelong had to face 15 overs, a task they have found difficult to complete without the loss of a wicket in recent weeks, but with two openers in form, including one that has played for Australia padded up, the team would have felt a bit more at ease.
And so it proved as Aaron Finch with 39 not out and James McDonald with 37 not out saw the side cruise to 0/85 at stumps.
While they won’t be counting their chickens, the Cats will see this as a golden opportunity to grab some much needed points and lift the spirits around the place.
In the Geelong Cricket Association, the surprise packet of the season thus far has been Newtown & Chilwell. After a number of seasons battling down the bottom of the ladder, the club has regrouped nicely to be undefeated after four rounds, and with a very winnable game coming up this round against Lara.
While the Two Blues have many players in good form, the addition of Jordan Clark has been the icing on the cake. He made 57 in Round 3 in their epic win over St Josephs, but that was just a sign of things to come.
Last game against Murgheboluc, the gun all-rounder made 142 batting at number five, before enjoying success with the ball, taking 3/48 from his 20 overs.
He hasn’t had to do it all himself though, George Chisolm did his bit, making 30 opening the batting, before claiming 4/44 as the side romped to a 50 run win.
While Lara has managed just one win so far, they were far from disgraced last game, pushing East Belmont all the way, making 258 in reply to the Lions 333.
Danny Hughes top scored with 80, while his brother Andy was out injured, a fact that may well have been crucial as he had made a scintillating century the game before to see the side claim the points over Geelong City.
The Two Blues will go in rightful favourites as winning form is good form, but Lara boast plenty of match winners, and if they can get a more even spread of contributors, they will ensure whoever wins will have earned it.
MURGHEBOLUC v St Peters, Geelong City v EAST BELMONT, ST JOSEPHS v Grovedale, Lara v NEWTOWN & CHILWELL, Leopold v SOUTH BARWON, Bell Post Hill v NORTH GEELONG.
In Division 2, one of the stories of the season so far has been the spectacular fall from grace of reigning premier St Albans Breakwater.
With a productive winter of recruiting, it was expected that the Super Saints would go from strength to strength this year.
But everything that could go wrong has gone wrong, with a disillusioned Andrew Fergusson returning to North Geelong after just one game, and a host of other big name players either not playing or out injured, the club is a sorry sight at the bottom of the ladder without a win to it’s name.
Add to that President John Irvine being forced to stand down due to ill health, and things look grim at St Albans Reserve.
But they say the darkest hour is right before the dawn, and the chance to host Torquay without injured superstar Joel Davies could be just the opportunity for them to turn things around.
Sean Bogan has been bowling his heart out as he always does, while his brother Matt has joined the club in an effort to show some support. Damien Koliba remains one of the premier players in the division, and he needs to stand up with both the bat and ball if the team is to start to drag itself out of the depths and start getting some wins on the board.
Highton v MARSHALL, THOMSON v Alexander Thomson, NEWCOMB & DISTRICT v Guild Saints, Modewarre v BELL PARK, GEELONG WEST v Manifold Heights, ST ALBANS BREAKWATER v Torquay.
