Ocean Grove all-rounder Connor Weidemann believes his side’s total of 177 all out against Newcomb was worth much more given the slowness of the infield at Ray Menzies Oval.
The Grubbers are a game and percentage clear in top spot on the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association A2 Grade ladder and need to beat the bottom placed Bulls to keep Wallington at bay.
Weidemann, who played for Geelong’s Under 18 and 3rd XI sides, top scored for Grove on day one of the round 13 clash on Saturday 14 February with 63 from 120 deliveries. There were just seven boundaries scored all afternoon, four by Weidemann.
“It was very slow and there weren’t many fours hit so a lot of running was done,” he said.
“Although we got (about) 180, it’s probably more like 50 more runs than that, I’d say. It’s not actually that bad of a total.
“It’s (the ground) a lot different from the start of the season when it was lightning quick.”
Opener Shaun Fankhauser made 54 from 139 balls and helped put on 62 for the fifth wicket with Weidemann after the Grubbers were 4/43. In the quest for quick runs towards the end of the innings, Ocean Grove lost 5/32 to be all out for 177 in the 72nd over.
“That was an important partnership for us,” Weidemann said.
“We just wanted to get to tea. The runs didn’t really matter. We just wanted to consolidate for a bit because if we lost a few more (wickets), then we would have been in real trouble.”
Although the ground made scoring difficult, so did the Newcomb attack. James Claney was superb with 5/59 from 19 overs and Dylan Ryan picked up 3/35 from 13.2 while Sean Anderton (0/24 from 16 overs), Jack Scanlon (1/19 from 10) and Thisum Hapugodage (1/30 from 12) kept things tight.
“They bowled pretty good lines and lengths,” Weidemann said.
“It was hard to get the slow bowlers away, just due to the lack of pace. Hard to get through the infield when the bowling was slow, so I’m sure we’ll do the same thing (on day two) and make it difficult for them.”
Weidemann has made two half-centuries in his last four hits, but is still getting used to the BPCA. He has also taken 12 wickets.
“I just wanted to bat time because I haven’t really been batting that well,” he said.
“So I just wanted to see what happens and not do anything silly. Just play every ball on its merits.
“The bowling is a bit slower than what I’m used to and the last few weeks I’ve been struggling so it’s good to finally get a few.”
PORTARLINGTON’S finals hopes remain alive after Brenton Toole clubbed a 123-ball 158 against Winchelsea. Port could be half a game outside the top four with one round to go after posting 6/321 with Toole smacking 20 boundaries and four sixes. Cameron Gourley (58) and Paul McGrath (49) provided ample support during Toole’s run-fest. Ricci Sauni (3/71 from 24 overs) and Jarrod Groves (3/112 from 30) were tasked with doing the majority of the work for Winch.
COLLENDINA ace Corey Walter took 6/29 from 26 overs to have his side within reach of a win against Surf Coast. With star all-rounder Stan Grazotis unavailable, Walter stepped up and had the Suns all out for 75 with Allen Antony grafting 21 from 62 balls. The Cobras are 2/37 in reply with Jude De Jong (13 not out) and Harrisyn Wingrave (12 not out) to resume after being 2/12.
WALLINGTON can sew up second spot on the ladder if it can make another 105 runs with nine wickets in hand against St Leonards. Nick Hallam (44) was the only batter to look like getting a big score before being run out as the Saints crumbled to 122 all out. Dane Wise-Graham moved up to 28 wickets for the season with 3/42 while Colin Smith (2/29 from 19 overs) and the consistent Mitch Sleeman (2/22 from 12) applied the brakes. In reply, the Wallabies are 1/18, still with a bit of work to do.
