By Justin Flynn
East Belmont moved into third spot on the Geelong Cricket Association ladder with a big win against Lara on Saturday.
Led by skipper Shane McNamara East Belmont piled on 5/294 at Winter Reserve.
McNamara made 124 from 140 deliveries and hit 20 boundaries while a fine 86 from 89 balls by Josh Lacey lifted the final total up close to 300.
Lara never looked like chasing the mammoth target down with only Lleyton Thulborn (52) passing 50.
Two wickets each to Jack Jenkins and Dylan McMahon gave the Lions a percentage booster.
North Geelong remained unbeaten after Curtly Balshaw an unbeaten 100 from 131 deliveries.
Mitchell Troy also played well for his 86 from 78 with the Magpies compiling 5/280 against St Joseph’s.
Luke Ibbs (75) and Mitchell McMullan (89) batted well for Joeys, but a final total of 226 wasn’t enough to claim victory.
Four wickets each to Troy and Tom Mathieson made sure North Geelong took all six points.
Newtown & Chilwell won a close one against South Barwon.
South Barwon made 6/222 batting first with Pat Richards (67) top scoring.
The Two Blues chased down the target with two wickets and two overs to spare thanks to 70 from Pat McKenna and a very handy 45 from just 20 balls from Dylan Hodge.
Brad Hauenstein tried his best for South Barwon with 3/21 from 10 overs.
Grovedale defeated Highton by 120 runs.
An unbeaten 73 from 83 deliveries by Anthony Quarrell and 53 from opener Jake Alsop got Grovedale up to 7/246 from 50 overs.
In reply, Highton fell well short with left-arm seamer Davlin Foott snaring 3/29 from 10 overs.
