SPORT: Cats’ two-day challenge begins

LAST weekend’s inclement weather cost Geelong Cricket Club the opportunity to come out on the positive side of the ledger from the five one-dayers that were scheduled to start the premier season.
With Ringwood struggling in second last place, the Cats would have fancied their chances to claim a third win for the season.
However, it was not to be and the side must now re-focus for two-day mode when it travels to Fitzroy Doncaster over the next two Saturdays.
This will be a critical challenge for the club, particularly the younger members of the squad who will need to ensure they are switched on for the entire game because a bad half-hour of cricket at this level can cost a game.
Geelong Cricket Association also suffered from the weather last week, with all turf games throughout the divisions cancelled.
This round is also the beginning of two-day cricket at local level, which is always a test for the sides that lack depth because as the attrition rate starts to build, the good teams begin to assert their dominance.
In division one, the cream has already started to rise to the top.
Richard Oliver heads the batting table, with 290 runs so far, the star Englishman notching up two centuries and a 50 already.
Fellow Englishman Matt Lineker and New Zealander Brad Patton are also in the top 10, showing that the league is well and truly capable of attracting top-notch talent despite the existing player points rules making this difficult.
With the ball, Newtwon & Chilwell’s Justin Maher leads all comers with nine wickets at the miserly average of 15 runs.
Clinton Peake has shown his worth in the bowling stakes as well, with the star all-rounder the only player in the league in the top 10 for both runs and wickets.
In division two, reigning premier Newcomb & District was expected to struggle early, with the loss of last year’s captain Simon Anderson to Geelong and the late arrival of gun quick Richard Stanyon.
However, Tim Thompson has stepped up big-time, taking 10 wickets already to lead the table and Anthony Quarrell sits second on the runs tally with 114.
With Stanyon due any day, the Dino’s depth means they’re looking ominous.
Chris McIlvenny is the standout all-rounder, with nine wickets and 90 runs so far.
And in division three, it’s once again a player from the reigning premier that has got off to a flyer.
Bell Park’s Jamie Spiller has picked up where he left off last season, scoring 208 runs at an average of 104 so far.
Teesdale has also shown it’s no accident the side is in second place, with three players in the top six wicket takers. Sam Campbell has 10, while Alister Woods and Darren Laidlaw both have eight.
With all three boasting an average under eight, the biggest competition could be in who takes the new ball this week.