Torquay captain Damian O’Brien said he wouldn’t be rushed on a decision to declare his side’s innings closed at 7/239 against Bell Park.
In the first of the two-dayers in GCA Division 2 on Saturday November 9, O’Brien said the new rules, which mean there are no points allocated for a draw, might force his hand.
“Honestly, I’m not really sure,” O’Brien said.
“I told the guys after the game that I’ll have to think about it during the week and I’ll let you know. It’s a little bit different this year in that for a draw it’s zero points each and last year a draw was three points each. We’ll do everything we can to win the game.”
Tom Dunn top scored with 56 and the Tigers were well served by pretty much everybody who batted, except for star all-rounder Gurpreet Singh, who was the only one to miss out.
Opener Tristan Kassis made a blistering 37 from 24 deliveries, O’Brien chipped in with 34 and Ash Russell made 32.
“Everyone did play their part for the most part,” O’Brien said.
“A bit unlucky for Guru (Singh), but there’s always someone who misses out. John Fisher (18 from 86 balls), that was his first game in the ones for the year so it was good for him to get some runs. Everyone kind of just chipped in without anyone without anyone doing anything exciting.”
O’Brien said the Bell Park bowlers toiled hard on a fast outfield at Spring Creek Reserve with paceman Bradley Apps going for just more than two an over from his 16.
“(Mitch) Trask (3/83) bowled 27 overs and they all bowled pretty well really,” he said.
“The younger fellow (Tynan) Kelly was good and their spinners were pretty hard to get away as well.”
Under 17s gun Patrick O’Sullivan debuted for Torquay and was unbeaten on 10 at the close of play. O’Sullivan will bowl next week after taking nine wickets in two second grade games.
O’Brien will roll his arm over as will Ash Russell, Singh, Matthew Miller and Jackson Gordon will bowl some leg-spin in the quest to take 10 Bell Park wickets.
BELL POST HILL scored 6/232 against Murgheboluc with Ryan Mills making 83 and half-centuries to Matthew Reid and Ben Muir. Jason Grozdanovski sent down 28 overs for the Frogs and took a very tidy 1/52.
ANGUS Evans spearheaded Geelong City’s score of 7/224 against Leopold. Evans made 95 while Oscar Agg was unbeaten on 61. Tom Treble took 2/28 from 17 overs for Leopold.
ADAM Wiffen scored a delightful century for Geelong West against Lara. Wiffen was not out on 106 from 192 deliveries with West all out for 195 while Mitchell Heyward picked up three wickets for Lara. In reply, Lara is 0/13.
IN DIVISION 1, Will Ford scored his second consecutive century as St Peters made 5/258 against South Barwon. Ford’s 110 came from 184 balls while Matthew Sorgiovanni made 83.
GROVEDALE quick Sam Coutts took 5/45 to help dismiss St Joseph’s for 141. Grovedale is 1/34 in reply.
HIGHTON openers Zac Wills (126) and Brady Somers (103) shared a 191-run partnership to steer their side to 6/371 against South Barwon. Greg Willows chipped in with 49 from 52 balls while Sam Ellis took 1/64 from 25 overs for South Barwon.
STAN-IN North Geelong skipper Ned Cooper made 147 from 211 deliveries against Newtown & Chilwell. The left-hander was supported by fellow opener Sam Hall (54 from 62) and Layton McCann (56). The Two Blues were 0/37 in reply to North Geelong’s declaration at 6/316.
