Surf Coast playing coach Richard Dawes said his club is a “really exciting” place to be after taking the honours on day one of its BPCA A2 Grade clash against Collendina.
Off-spinner Rhys Healy (4/46 from 19 overs) and seamer Corey Roberts (3/25 from 13.5) were largely responsible for dismissing Collendina for 161 at Polwarth Oval, Torquay on Saturday November 16.
In just their second season in the competition, the newly branded Surf Coast Suns are more than holding their own. The Suns aligned themselves with the football and netball club after entering the competition as the Stingrays.
“It really is just that one step at a time,” Dawes said.
“It’s not all going to happen at once. We’re not going to be world beaters overnight, but every year just that natural progression and then obviously with the footy club starting up, I think that’ll be really good for us for recruitment. And then just overall, it’s a family vibe around the place.”
Dawes praised his bowlers for working hard on a hot day.
“I think the openers set the tone really well,” he said.
“Snaring the key wicket of Corey Walter was huge for us to start the day. We’ve got that third side now and that’s just really helped out. It was tough last year when you have a few guys away and you’re calling on guys who played D Grade to play in A grade. It can be a bit tricky so that’s definitely helped us a lot to understand the level of cricket and how it’s played.”
The Suns are on the verge of an upset win against last season’s runners-up and will resume at 0/37 with Dawes on 13 and Will Liddle on 22.
“It’s nice to knock those runs off next week’s total, but it’s obviously still anyone’s game,” Dawes said.
“They are going to come out firing again next week, I’m sure. So we’re going to have to be up for the fight.”
A 68-run last-wicket partnership between Sven Burluraux (59 from 168 balls) and Colin Smith (35 not out from 50) has given Wallington a chance of a comeback victory against Inverleigh. Wallington was all out for 141 and had Inverleigh 2/19 in reply with Billy Gravett picking up both wickets.
Winchelsea posted 8/188 against Newcomb with Shane Murdoch making a superb 91 and Matthew Partridge 41 not out. Bulls coach Shane Healey took 4/24 from 24 accurate overs.
St Leonards was all out for 181 against Portarlington with Brian White (56) scoring at a run a ball. Port is 1/22 in reply.
In A1 Grade, Ocean Grove made 141 against Jan Juc with Shaun Fankhauser getting 54. But it was spinner Mark Zahra, who stole the show in Jordy Graham’s 200th club match for the Sharks. He took 6/27 from 20.4 overs. Jan Juc will resume at 1/32.
Michael Kelson made a majestic 111 off 158 deliveries for Barrabool against Drysdale. The Bulls posted 9/284.
A rearguard partnership by Jacko Mallett (59) and skipper Dan Donaldson (55) ensured Barwon Heads will defend 235 this week against Armstrong Creek. Youngster Angus Ford made 45. Donaldson took 42 balls to get off the mark, but accelerated after tea to make his 55 from 75 balls after the break.
Mick Thornton smashed 123 from just 107 balls as Anglesea piled on 9/339 against Queenscliff. Thornton smacked 11 boundaries and nine sixes while openers Tyron Norman and Simon Umbers each made 56 and debutante Alex Umbers made 53 not out from 46 deliveries.
