Local Cricket, by Jim Timberlake
Geelong Cricket Club has got it’s mojo back after a fantastic win against Casey South Melbourne last weekend.
Resuming at 0/85 in pursuit of 244, Aaron Finch was unavailable due to higher duties, a fact that might previously have proved disastrous.
However, this young group is starting to build it’s own character, and so it proved as they simply got on with the job.
Luke Inglis came up from the seconds and made a nice 41 to support opener Josh McDonald who got 43 of his own.
Skipper Eamonn Vines got back to some of his best form with a typically patient 73.
He found great support from Tyler Larkin, who had been failing to capitalise on good starts recently, the young middle order player enjoying one of his best days for the club, knocking up an excellent 99 before falling agonisingly short of what would have been a well deserved century.
To cap off the day’s play nicely, Brenton McDonald capped off his six wicket haul in the first innings, scoring 46 not out as the Cats finished on 5/397 to claim a dominant win.
So after what can only be described as a horrible start to the season, things look like they’re turning around, and a win this game against Ringwood would see the side on the outskirts of the top eight, and with aspirations of seeing how far they can push not only the competition, but themselves.
In the Geelong Cricket Association, the match that looked like holding the most intrigue has turned into a white-wash, with Newtown & Chilwell destroying Lara to take first innings points after just one days play.
Lara won the toss and elected to bat first on their home track, and despite losing two early wickets, had things back on even terms when they reached 2/45.
But from there, everything went pear-shaped as Jordan Clark and Jackson Davis destroyed the middle and lower orders to see the Cats dismissed for a woeful 107 in just 41 overs.
Clark continued his great form taking 5/34 while Davis chipped in with 3/15.
With 40 overs still to play, Lara needed early wickets, but George Chisolm and Will Simson ensured there was no nervous moments, seeing off the new ball before flourishing late in the day.
Chisolm raced to 88 not out, while Simson played the anchor role with 25 not out from 114 balls, as the Two Blues finished day one on 0/126.
The only question remaining now is whether or not Newtown & Chilwell can claim outright points, a feat that isn’t outside the realms of possibility.
In Division 2, St Albans Breakwater aren’t without a chance to break their duck for the season, although they would prefer they hadn’t lost three late wickets to finish off a much improved first day performance.
Bowling first, the Saints struck early through Sean Bogan and Jason Murray, before a series of Torquay partnerships saw them slowly build towards a decent total, eventually all out for 217 from 61 overs.
For the Tigers, Sam Giblett was the star with a well-crafted 75, while Bogan with 3/55 and youngster Jonah Graham with 4/20 did the damage with the ball.
There was 17 overs to be played to complete the days play, and both sides would have hoped for a positive result, but it was Torquay who gained the ascendency, taking three wickets to see the host fall to 3/22 at stumps, Clinton Place the key man with 2/10 from six overs.
The first hour will be the key tomorrow. If St Albans Breakwater can survive that, their confidence will grow and they will be a chance, but if the Tigers can find a couple of early wickets, it will be a long way back.
