By Jim Timberlake
GEELONG Cricket Club undid all the good work of its first two games this season, losing both last weekend’s matches to St Kilda and Northcote.
Saturdays’s 97-point loss to St Kilda was definitely one to forget but the Cats backed up on Sunday to go down by just two wickets in the last over.
Justin McPhee’s 4/50 on Saturday was the only highlight for the weekend with the ball, while Hayden Butterworth again starred with bat on Sunday, making an excellent 121 not-out from just 100 balls in a performance that will surely see state selectors put a big tick next to the hard-hitting batsman’s name.
The Cats host Ringwood tomorrow in the last round of one-day games for the time being and will be desperate to get back on the positive side of the win-loss ledger.
In Geelong Cricket Association, two-day matches begin again this weekend.
The pick of the games looks like the clash of undefeated sides North Geelong and East Belmont at Winter Reserve.
North has again started the season on fire with three wins from as many starts, although none were against any of last year’s finalists.
The Thorne brothers have shown the way so far, with Jacob making 89 not-out last week and Zac the pick of the bowlers at 2/32.
East Belmont has won both of its starts convincingly after failing to getting on a wet Burdoo Reserve track in round one. Many would have been watching to see whether the side fell away after losing so many talented players following last year’s premiership but the Lions have reinvented themselves to show they will once again be a threat.
Talented Englishman Matt Lineker has returned to captain the club and has continued the form that produced close to 2000 runs in the northern summer.
On paper, North Geelong’s thin bowling attack looks to hold the key here. As was the case last year, North really needs its quicks to provide some early penetration to threaten the strong East Belmont batting line-up.
Selections: GEELONG CIY v Murgheboluc, LEOPOLD v St Josephs, GROVEDALE v Geelong West, EAST BELMONT v North Geelong, South Barwon v NEWTOWN & CHILWELL, LARA v Highton,
Division two also has a cracking early-season game scheduled, with first-placed Bell Post Hill taking on second-placed Thomson at Godfrey Street Oval to determine the early premiership favourite.
For the Panthers, Chris Moreland is the leading run-maker in the division, while veteran Grant Dew is nipping at his heels with a handy 70 not-out last week.
Chris McIlvenny has snared nine wickets already and Adrian Saltalamacchia has seven.
Thomson will look forward to the arrival of English import Johnny Kettle to add some batting strength, which will be needed because they are likely to be a bowler short of winning this one.
Other selections: St Alban’s Breakwater v MANIFOLD HEIGHTS, MODEWARRE v Alexander Thomson, St Peter’s v GUILD ST MARY’S, TORQUAY v Waurn Ponds, Marshall v NEWCOMB & DISTRICT.
Reigning premier Bell Park sits atop the division three ladder after enjoying a relatively easy draw so far.
That might change this week against Corio, which has shown good early-season form.
Jamie Spiller has been in incredible form with over 200 runs already for the Dragons, while young gun Anthony Grace has nearly 100 for Corio.
Interestingly, Corio has four bowlers with four or more wickets, while Bell Park has just one.
This potent bowling line-up makes Corio favourite.
Other selections: INVERLEIGH v Winchelsea, Bannockburn v LETHBRIDGE, LITTLE RIVER v Shelford, TEESDALE v North Shore, Meredith Bye.
