Local Cricket, by Jim Timberlake
With Premier cricket moving into its T20 phase last weekend, the Geelong Cricket Club had a mixed set of results, defeating Ringwood on Saturday, before going down to Northcote on Sunday.
With Aaron Finch called into the state side, the Cats at least had Big Bash star Jake Reed at their disposal. He opened the bowling and went for just 12 runs from his 4 overs, picking up a wicket along the way. Matthew Gunther returned the best figures, claiming 2/18 as they held their hosts to just 5/107 from their 20 overs.
In reply, the run chase started disastrously, as the top order crashed to 3/25 and then 5/47. However, a mature knock of 35 not out from Luke Inglis saw Geelong cruise to a six wicket win.
Returning to Kardinia Park on Sunday, Geelong won the toss and batted first, but Eamonn Vines was the only batsman that looked capable of a decent store, the skipper continued his good recent form with 51 in his side’s total of 124.
Early wickets were the key, and when Jake Reed claimed the first with just six runs on the board, the boys were up and about. But from there, it was one way traffic as Northcote enjoyed a 102-run partnership to run out dominant winners.
This weekend sees another double header, firstly against Essendon at Windy Hill tomorrow, before backing up on Sunday at home against Carlton. The team will be looking to win both and continue their recent improvements.
In the Geelong Cricket Association, a tantalising top of the table clash is scheduled at Queens Park as the undefeated Newtown & Chilwell host East Belmont in a two day clash.
Newtown & Chilwell have been in magnificent form, smashing Lara last game, and although they couldn’t quite achieve an outright result in the second innings, they did enough to show they are a genuine chance for this season’s flag.
Englishman Jordan Clark has been the star so far, but the form of emerging gun George Chisolm has been equally as impressive. But it’s the new-found depth that has also stood out, with players such as Jackson Davis and Shane Franklin also enjoying career best seasons.
East Belmont though are always hard to beat, they enjoy an arsenal of batsmen, as well as the premier bowler in the competition in Dave Lineen, who took seven wickets last game to make it 17 from the last three.
The Lions would have considered themselves fortunate to get the points against Geelong City last week, the Sharks had looked gone for all money at 9/107 in pursuit of 203, but a magnificent innings by veteran Adam Marsland saw them fall just two runs shorts.
With Becker Nguyen due back from work commitments, and coach Chris Williams nearly back to full fitness after a nasty broken leg a year ago, the Lions will be looking to assert themselves on the contest from ball one. But while in the previous few seasons, the Two Blues would have been daunted by the prospect, this new group will be chomping at the bit to prove their doubters wrong and claim another big scalp.
Bell Post Hill v GEELONG CITY, NEWTOWN & CHILWELL v East Belmont, NORTH GEELONG v Leopold, St Peters v LARA, South Barwon v ST JOSEPHS, GROVEDALE v Murgheboluc.
In Division 2, Alexander Thomson are enjoying a change in fortunes, the team enjoying a great win against Thomson last round to continue some steady improvement after a few years of mediocre results.
English import Sean Tindale has returned to the club, only this time he is injury free and bowling some seriously fast spells, putting the wind up Thomson last week with two wickets in the first innings, and four in the second to see his side fall just short of an outright win.
Add to that the form of Nathan Saunders with the ball, and youngster Kane Pozman with the bat, and the Vikings are starting to look like they could shake a few sides up this year. They will have the perfect chance to do that this round when they take on the undefeated Bell Park. The Dragons haven’t missed a beat so far, and will deservedly start favourites, but if they don’t bring their A-game here, they could be a big chance to lose their first game of the season.
St Albans Breakwater v THOMSON, BELL PARK v Alexander Thomson, TORQUAY v Geelong West, MARSHALL v Modewarre, Manifold Heights v NEWCOMB & DISTRICT, Guild Saints v HIG.
