By JIM TIMBERLAKE
This year has begun brightly for the Geelong Cricket Club with a dominant outright win against Melbourne Uni last week seeing it shoot up the Premier Cricket ladder.
After declaring on 6/231 having easily passed Uni’s first innings of 225, an amazing hour of cricket saw the Cats reduce their visitors to 7/13 with Tom Smith leading the charge taking 4/17.
While Uni staged a mini fightback, the damage was done and they were all out for just 63.
Despite losing three wickets, Geelong managed maximum points with a minimum of fuss.
Tomorrow, they travel to Schramm Reserve to play Fitzroy Doncaster and with their current run of form, the Geelong boys will fancy their chances.
In the Geelong Cricket Association, the crucial match between Lara and South Barwon at Bisinella Oval is intriguingly poised with the hosts posting only a moderate 184 before fighting back late to reduce South to 2/15 at stumps.
Earlier, Jonathan Weighell continued his good form making 70 while for the Swans, veteran Brad Hauenstein was the pick of the bowlers taking 4/22.
It was another veteran in Brad Scown that had the last laugh on the day, claiming both South Barwon wickets to fall.
South still has plenty of talent to come and remains slight favourites but if Lara can take a couple of early wickets tomorrow while the ball is still new, they are still a big chance.
In division two, Thomson may have done some irreversible damage to its finals chances with a shocking loss against Marshall.
The Tigers would have been cock-a-hoop when they destroyed Marshall for just 87, Adam Bliss and Louis Bentley both taking three wickets.
Thomson was relatively comfortable in reply at 3/46 but, incredibly, they somehow managed to lose from there, all out for just 68 after Bears skipper Brad Greenwood took 6/23.
Marshall’s tactics tomorrow may well depend on its summation of how the pitch will play but it will be up to Thomson to try and salvage something.
And in division three, Inverleigh may have ended Teesdale’s finals aspirations with a commanding batting performance, racking up 270 on the back of an outstanding 126 not out by Lachlan Platt.
Scott Bell provided the most support with 83 while for Teesdale, Sam Campbell bowled well to finish with figures of 6/68.
Teesdale has plenty of batting depth and priceless experience, but even this might not be enough and Inverleigh should win.
