Local Cricket, by Jim Timberlake
Geelong Cricket Club will resume its match against Camberwell Magpies tomorrow with revised conditions after the majority of the first day’s play was washed out due to persistent rain.
The Magpies won the toss and elected to bat, a decision that may play out in Geelong’s favour depending on how the umpires calculate the match conditions for the second day’s play.
In the 29.1 overs that were possible on day one, Dom McGlinchey and Luke Guest both picked up a wicket to see the hosts at 2/75 when stumps were called.
Camberwell will be allocated a certain amount of overs left to bat before the Cats can attempt a run chase, and the fact that they will at least know their target should be of benefit.
Geelong Cricket Association also suffered at the hands of the weather, with some games managing to see a result, other games petering out to draws, while some did not even commence.
In division one, East Belmont was able to gain a win and a valuable six points, while most of the other teams could only take the three for a draw, a result that could prove critical when the ladder is finally settled at the end of the home and away season.
South Barwon was asked to bat first, and looked in ominous form early, reaching 2/122 before a significant rain delay halted all its momentum.
They eventually reached 8/176 from 42 overs after losing 8 overs from their original 50.
In reply, East Belmont batted through a series of showers and delays, before eventually reaching the required 21 overs to constitute an official match, and because their run rate was superior, they emerged with a fortunate win.
They play Murgheboluc at home this game in a match they will be expected to play well in. Meanwhile, Grovedale host North Geelong, while Lara travel to Geelong City. With all of these teams so tightly bunched at the top of the ladder, this round is extremely important for the finals aspirations of all teams, and should see some cracking cricket played.
Selections: EAST BELMONT v Murgheboluc, Leopold v SOUTH BARWON, St Josephs v NEWTOWN & CHILWELL, Grovedale v NORTH GEELONG, GEELONG CITY v Lara.
In division two, Bell Post Hill also benefitted from winning their game last week, while other teams around them on the ladder could only manage a draw.
Highton also had a very important win over Torquay, while the match between Marshall and Bell Park was eventually washed out, although both teams would have been confident of winning from the position they were in prior to the heavens opening just one too many times.
Most of this weeks games are the top teams pitted against the bottom teams, which means the ladder might see a bit of separation, although cricket is a funny game, and letting your guard down at just the wrong time could come back to bite someone later on.
Selections: MARSHALL v Newcomb & District, St Peters v BELL PARK, BELL POST HILL v Torquay, Manifold Heights v HIGHTON.
And in division three, Modewarre have leapfrogged Thomson to currently sit atop the table, although they play St Albans Breakwater this round in a game the Saints will desperately want to win to consolidate their spot in the top four.
Alexander Thomson are clinging to fifth spot though, and simply won’t go away. The Vikings play Guild Saints tomorrow in a very winnable game, which means there is definitely some twists and turns left in this division for the remainder of the season.
Selections: MODEWARRE v St Albans Breakwater, Guild Saints v ALEXANDER THOMSON, Corio v WAURN PONDS DEAKIN, Geelong West v THOMSON.
