By Jim Timberlake
GEELONG Cricket Club enjoyed two wins from as many starts for the first time this season when it demolished Greenvale in a Twenty20 match last Saturday.
Bowling first, the Cats put the clamps on early, with all seven bowlers used managing to make it very hard for the Kangaroos batsmen to score.
Carl Sandri (2/9) was the pick of the bowlers as the hosts finished their 20 overs on just 5/95.
In reply, Geelong cruised to victory in just 14 overs, with Hayden Butterworth (48) continuing his good form to top-score in an eight-wicket win.
Tomorrow Geelong hosts Hawthorn-Monash in a 50-over-per-side one-dayer.
Although they’ve had a tough start to the season, a couple of wins on the trot could be just the tonic the Cats players need to claim another win before the Christmas break.
In Geelong Cricket Association, after looking like the top few sides were breaking away from the pack, a couple of upsets has evened the ladder right up heading into Christmas.
South Barwon dug deep last week, defending its 120 all-out by bowling out a disappointing East Belmont for just 107.
That, combined with wins to Lara over Bell Post Hill and Murgheboluc over Geelong West, has breathed new life into the season.
This week Geelong West gets the chance to bounce back against Grovedale.
Both sides will have a lot to play for because the loser will struggle to get back into finals contention. But a win will give the victor renewed hope over the break.
Selections: South Barwon v ST JOSEPH’S, EAST BELMONT v Geelong City, NORTH GEELONG v Lara, GEELONG WEST v Grovedale, BELL POST HILL v Leopold, Newtown & Chilwell v MURGHEBOLUC.
In division two, Modewarre has put together some impressive form to move into sixth place on the table.
Tomorrow it plays Guild St Mary’s, which is struggling with just two wins so far this campaign.
The key to Modewarre’s success has been the spreading of the load, with Matthew Robinson and Jack Hosking leading the runs table with over 200 each, while Zac Wemyss has 16 wickets already.
This renewed team approach should hold the side in good stead for this match.
Selections: ST ALBANS BREAKWATER v Torquay, HIGHTON v Newcomb & District, MODEWARRE v Guild St Mary’s, MARSHALL v Waurn Ponds, THOMSON v St Peter’s, MANIFOLD HEIGHTS v Alexander Thomson.
In division three, the gap between the top and bottom six is widening and if Little River can’t pull off an upset over Meredith tomorrow it might well be a case of the finalists being decided by Christmas.
The Redbacks have been playing some of the top sides lately, managing to acquit themselves well. But it’s wins that count, so they’ll need to be at their very best to take the six points here.
Selections: TEESDALE v Bell Park, Winchelsea v LETHBRIDGE, SHELFORD v Inverleigh, Corio v BANNOCKBURN, Little River v MEREDITH, Corio Bay bye.
