Luke Ford’s second century of the season helped St Peters move into the Geelong Cricket Association Division 1 top four on Saturday 10 January.
Ford was unbeaten on 108 from 115 deliveries at the end of the Saints’ innings that yielded 5/261 against Newtown & Chilwell.
Ford shared a 99-run third-wicket stand with brother Billy Ford (61) and there was plenty of running involved. The pair hit just six boundaries and a six between them and were forced to work hard.
The Two Blues took the run chase to the 50th over, but fell short being all out for 233 with Tyson Windus (73) and Pat McKenna (40) getting runs, but seamer Josh Sorgiovanni took 4/28 from 10 overs to help the Saints to a win.
GROVEDALE sits in third place on the ladder after a 12-run win against Lara.
Michael McNeel (50), Josh Windus (47) and Daniel Brew (40) contributed to a final total of 243 all out while Daniel Weigl and paceman Luke Wilson each took three wickets for Lara.
Vishesh Malhotra was the danger man in the run chase and he didn’t disappoint with a hard-hitting 68 from only 32 balls with 10 fours and three sixes.
Kaden Marum made 67, but quick Sam Coutts grabbed four wickets after taking some punishment early. Lara was all out for 231 with almost 10 overs still to bat.
NORTH GEELONG was without several stars due to Country Victoria rep duty, but still managed to defeat St Joseph’s comfortably.
Sam Hall (55), keeper Adam Costello (44), Tom Mathieson (38 not out from 19 deliveries), Ned Cooper (35) and Philip Visser (31) all got runs in a total of 7/258. Medium pacer Fletcher Wilson sent down 10 tidy overs and grabbed 2/31 for Joeys.
Mathieson then played a key role for the Magpies with 3/19 while spinner Victor Morrow took 2/21 to have Joeys all out for 142. Brandon Purcell was not out on 36, but St Joseph’s has some work to do to improve on its sixth placing on the table.
EAST BELMONT won a close one against South Barwon.
Luke Inglis (75) and the ever reliable Sean O’Neill (44) pushed East Belmont to 221 while spinner Nathaniel Blyth was superb with 2/27 from 10 overs for South Barwon.
South Barwon had several batters get starts, including Sam Ellis (37), Nathan Pearson (33), Bryson Nicholls (33) and Gurpreet Singh (33), but fell eight runs short with fast bowler Jack Jenkins and spinner Lachlan Molyneux each grabbing three wickets.
BARWON HEADS demolished Inverleigh to retain its unbeaten status in Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association A1 Grade.
New-ball pair Sema Kamea (2/14) and Harry Hyland (2/25) ripped through the top order and leg-spinners Daniel Donaldson (3/9) and Angus Mackie (3/19) helped dismiss the Kookaburras for 74.
The Seagulls lost three wickets while passing the small total with Matthew Bode (23) and Max Melzer (21 not out) spending time at the crease.
QUEENSCLIFF continued its impressive resurrection with a four-wicket triumph against Drysdale.
The Coutas restricted their chasing target to 8/147 with Frank Mileto and Max Minney taking two wickets each in a fine all-round bowling display. Ron Peillon (41) top scored for the Hawks and Jason Malcolm made 33.
Kane Leathem was the backbone of the Queenscliff response with an unbeaten 50 from 66 balls.
NICK HYDEN made a superb 100 not out from 109 balls for Jan Juc, but Barrabool took the points.
The Sharks made 6/187 with Hyden hitting five fours and six sixes and Finn Bilston also played well for 45. Joel Denyer took three wickets for Barrabool and Raf Salvado two while Kane Pickering conceded just 18 runs from eight overs.
The Bulls passed the target three wickets down with eight balls in hand with Kane Pickering (52 not out), Aaron Pickering (49) and Michael Kelson (44) making important contributions while young seamer Oscar Crocker picked up 2/18 from eight tidy overs.
ANGLESEA moved back into the top four with a three-wicket triumph against Armstrong Creek.
Seamer Ky Eskrigge took 3/41 and spinner Jarryd McGuane 2/35 while Chris Marsiglio (44) top scored with the Titans all out for 172.
Tyron Norman moved back to the top of the batting order and it paid off with the classy left-hander making 52 while middle-order contributions from Luke Taylor (32) and Ben Harcombe (31) saw the Seas home. Paceman Lachlan Mulgrew was the standout for the Titans with 3/24 from eight overs.
