North Geelong have cemented second spot on the GCA 1 ladder with two rounds left to play after a convincing 102-run victory away against St Joseph’s.
The Magpies, having made 251 the week before, managed to clamp down on Joeys’ run rate despite the flat track and restrict the home side to 10/149.
The win leaves North Geelong with a mathematical but unlikely chance of overtaking ladder leaders Newtown & Chilwell and out of reach of third-placed Grovedale, who lost to Highton on the weekend.
Dale Kerr (5/36) was in fine form for the Magpies in both innings, high scoring for the victors with 69 runs from 92 balls last week and taking three early scalps to disrupt Joeys’ top order Saturday.
Opener Andrew Casey (33) was one of only two St Joseph’s players to crack 30 runs, alongside Northern Irishman Oliver Metcalfe (30).
Magpies skipper Tom Mathieson (4/31) said Kerr’s performance was instrumental in the victory.
“We obviously weren’t in the best position probably when he came into bat (last week),” Mathieson said.
“And he hasn’t had many hits this season, so to come out and get 70-odd at just under a run a ball and get us to a defendable total was huge.
“And then with the new ball, when he’s got his tail up, down breeze, you don’t want to be facing him. He’s quick, he’s fierce, he loves to battle and to get the three early ones really set the platform.”
But Mathieson was quick to praise his entire bowling outfit, saying he and Kerr’s big wicket hauls were the result of constant pressure from all bowlers.
“We spoke after the game in our group about how Dale and I might have got the rewards, but if you look at the actual bowling figures from the rest of the group it was an all-round performance,” he said.
Despite being a lock for second on the ladder, Mathieson said the next two matches against South Barwon and Newtown & Chilwell were important to have the side in good form for the finals.
“I think the team that bowls the best and the tightest will probably win finals,” he said.
“This week we’ve got South and we know the wicket’s going to be flat… so it’s a perfect kind of ground to prepare for the finals.”
DESPITE East Belmont’s excellent first innings total of 7(d)/322, Newtown & Chilwell found a way to win at home this week and all but guarantee a top spot finish. Skipper Dylan Hodge batted through all but the last five overs of the run chase, bowled by Stuart Carter (1/52) with 168 runs. Ronnie Mackenna also made 59 for Newtown & Chilwell, while Dylan Moroney took 3/92 for the Lions.
GROVEDALE’S hopes of a top two finish evaporated after losing to Highton by 28 runs. After making 203 last week the Tigers couldn’t hold off a determined Highton batting order, led by opener Zac Wills (54). Tejas Gupta also scored 43 for Highton, while Sam Coutts (4/59) and Rohan Smith (3/78) were the main wicket takers for Grovedale.
MATTHEW Sorgiovanni fell just short of a century in a winning performance for St Peter’s (10/285) against South Barwon (10/126). The opener went out lbw for 93 to the bowling of Nick Butters (2/50) after a solid partnership of 77 with William Ford (40).
