By Luke Voogt
Half centuries by wicket-keeper batsman Josh McDonald and emerging talent Tom Jackson failed to secure victory for Geelong Cricket Club against the in-form Carlton last Saturday.
After a good innings the previous weekend, all-rounder Hayden Butterworth fell for just 2 on Saturday, while captain and fellow opener Eamonn Vines managed 24.
But McDonald and Jackson fought for 52 and 65 respectively, as the middle order helped the Cats claw their way to a defendable 239 all-out.
Carlton captain-coach and former Victorian player Evan Gulbis starred with the ball for a second consecutive week claiming 5/47.
Cats pacemen Jack Wrigglesworth and Brody Couch and leg spinner Tom O’Connell took a wicket each but had no answer for Brayden Stepien.
The Carlton opener blasted 157* off just 113 balls, including 16 fours and five sixes to help the Blues chase down the Cats with seven wickets and 13 overs in hand.
This Saturday the Cats will fancy their chances for their first win of the season against Greenvale, who placed 16th last year and currently sit second-last on the ladder.
But former Prahran and Geelong skipper Matthew Harrison remains a threat with the bat, after scoring 63 in the Kangaroos’ loss to Essendon.
In Geelong Cricket Association division one firsts South Barwon, Newtown-Chilwell, Lara, North Geelong and Grovedale recorded victories.
Sole century-maker for the round Sam Hall scored 101, carrying the North Geelong innings alongside Layton McCann (65) to 208, while Murgheboluc posted 9/132 in reply.
Sam Coutts stood out with the ball for the round with 5/12, helping Grovedale bowl out Highton for a paltry 40 to win by 161 runs.
The young paceman was thrilled to claim his maiden five-wicket hall after an injury-plagued first few years in senior cricket.
“It was good to finally taste a bit of success on a personal front,” he told Wes Cusworth on The Inside Edge.
“It’s been a lean start to the year on my behalf but it’s good to get on the board.”
Coutts was happy to “string a few games together” after past seasons interrupted by a knee injury from football and other injuries, and back issues last season.
“Hopefully my luck continues and I keep doing that,” he said.
Coutts credited “a bit of movement” in the pitch for helping him “get a few through the gate” to trap one batsman LBW and bowl another.
The cricket gods also smiled on him with “a few cracking shots that went to hand” for his other wickets.
The former St Joseph’s player looked forward to taking on his old side this weekend.
“Hopefully I can use a bit of local knowledge to try to back up that performance,” he said.
North Geelong leads the ladder followed by Newtown-Chillwell, Lara and South Barwon with Grovedale one game outside the top four.
In the division one seconds North Geelong, Newtown-Chilwell, Grovedale, East Belmont and South Barwon scored wins in a low-scoring round.
Grovedale remains undefeated atop of the ladder followed by East Belmont, Highton and South Barwon.
North Geelong, East Belmont, St Joseph’s, Highton and Leopold recorded wins in a similarly low-scoring round of the thirds.
South Barwon leads the ladder, followed by North Geelong, Murgheboluc and St Joseph’s.
