More than three years after his last 1st XI appearance and after a string of horrific leg injuries, Newtown & Chilwell spinner Chris Williams came into the side and had an immediate impact.
The leg-spinner took 6/65 from 20.5 overs in a triumphant return to Geelong Cricket Association first grade competition to help bowl South Barwon out for 211 on day one of round 12 on 14 February.
Bryson Nicholls made 97 for South Barwon and Gurpreet Singh (38 not out) and Harry Hauenstein (35) also contributed, but it was Williams’ day and he was aided by quick Nick Burke, who picked up two wickets.
In reply, the Two Blues are in control going into day two at 0/128 with Dylan Hodge on 64 and Pat McKenna to resume on 56.
EAST BELMONT already has first-innings points thanks to another ruthless bowling display.
Grovedale was sent in and had four batters get to 20, but nobody could go on, being all out for 149.
Three wickets each to James McMahon, Dylan Moroney and Stuart Carter did the damage.
In reply, the Lions are 1/163 with Sean O’Neill (60) and James Lidgett (52) still there while Shane McNamara belted a 38-ball 50.
PHILIP Visser made a delightful 175 for North Geelong, allowing his side to declare at 8/311 against Lara.
Visser’s 202-ball stay yielded 12 boundaries and eight sixes while keeper Adam Costello continued his consistent season with 52.
Kaden Marum took four wickets for Lara, but Tom Mathieson’s decision to close the innings early paid off, with Dale Kerr taking a return catch to have Lara at one down at stumps with no runs on the board.
ST JOSEPH’S batted for 90 overs and was dismissed for 261 against St Peters.
Zane Keighran hit six sixes in his 78 from just 55 deliveries and Jackson Bye was more circumspect with 55 from 150 balls and Jon Casey chipped in with 46.
Luke Ford’s performance with the ball was inspiring for the Saints. The skipper sent down 30 overs for the stunning figures of 4/43 while brother Will was called upon to bowl 26.3 overs and took 3/96.
IN BELLARINE Peninsula Cricket Association A1 Grade games, Armstrong Creek opener Matthew Kennedy made an important century against Jan Juc to keep the reigning premiers in the finals race.
Kennedy batted all day for an unbeaten 111 from 227 deliveries with the Titans ending day one of the penultimate round on 8/236.
Both sides need to win to have any chance of playing finals, and at this stage it looks like Armstrong Creek holds the upper hand.
Chris Marsiglio made 63 from 107 balls and Daniel Maclean chipped in with 31 late.
Finn Bilston grabbed three late wickets for the Sharks and Jordy Graham again had plenty of work with 27 overs netting him 2/73.
DRYSDALE’S finals hopes appear dashed after already surrendering first-innings points against Barwon Heads.
The Hawks were all out for 81 with Seagulls’ pacemen Darcy Hewitt (5/33) and Sema Kamea (3/27) doing all the damage.
In reply, the Heads are 2/97 with youngster Angus Mackie (45 not out) taking full advantage of a promotion in the batting order as opener.
QUEENSCLIFF looks headed for a finals appearance after making 7/283 against Inverleigh.
Lochie Philp made 92 from 169 balls to take his season’s tally to 474 while Kane Leathem (46 from 86), Max Minney (40 from 46) and Brendan Thom (36 not out) also contributed.
The Kookaburras attack found the going tough, but toiled away with Locke Perrett picking up 2/58 from 19 tidy overs.
TYRON Norman top scored in his 250th game for Anglesea and shared a 95-run opening stand with Simon Umbers (42).
Norman made 68 against Barrabool in his side’s final total of 179 all out.
James Jirik picked up 5/33 from 15 overs for the Bulls while James Fisher was economical with 2/45 from 26 overs and Lachie Snaith took 2/39 from 13.
