By Justin Flynn
Jackson Bye’s maiden GCA 1sts century has given St Joseph’s the upper hand against Grovedale on day one of the penultimate round of the season at Zampatti Oval.
The 23-year-old struck 103 from 174 deliveries to help guide his team to a formidable 7/269 at stumps.
“It was nice to get the monkey off the back and finally get one,” Bye said.
“I was pretty excited, but didn’t really know how to react. I’ve never really thought about it or never got there before, so I didn’t really know what to do. But no, it was a big, big weight off the shoulders.”
Andrew Casey made a patient, but required, 79 off 201 balls and Ryan Simmonds contributed 47 from 63.
“It wasn’t an easy track to bat on, but once you got yourself in and started batting with your partner, we were able to put some good partnerships together, which was probably the key really.”
Grovedale lost paceman Sam Coutts after four overs due to injury, but despite the Melbourne Country Week star’s absence Bye said the Tigers’ attack toiled hard.
“Losing Coutta early was definitely a loss for them, he’s been pretty good this year,” he said
“They’ve got a super tight bowling attack, so they’re not an easy team to score against. You’ve just got to stay patient with them and just keep assisting and stick to your process.”
In a logjam between third and seventh on the ladder, a win would just about secure a finals spot for Joeys while Grovedale sits in fifth place and also needs to win.
Clinton Ford was his usual miserly self with 2/48 from 24 overs for the Tigers while spinner Bailey Sykes backed up his Melbourne Country Week efforts with 2/49 from 19.
SOUTH Barwon’s hold on fourth spot looks like being over for the time being as East Belmont is on the verge of first-innings points. Only veteran Brad Hauenstein (46 from 76 balls) made any real contribution with the bat as South Barwon was bowled out for 111. Left-arm quick Jack Jenkins took five wickets to take his season’s tally to 20. In reply, East Belmont is in a comfortable position at 1/75 with Shane McNamara the man out for 33 and Sean O’Neill still there on 31.
CONNOR Hangan’s middle order heroics got North Geelong to 8/290 against Highton. The 21-year-old all-rounder came in at number six and made 106 from 156 balls while opener Ned Cooper made 61 and wicket-keeper Adam Costello chipped in with 45 at number eight. Nash Viney and Errol Burns each grabbed three scalps for Highton, but the Heat’s finals hope may well be over unless their batters can conjure up something special.
EXPERIENCED Lara pair Rob Sodomaco (74 from 131 deliveries) and Daniel Weigl (47 from 90) put on 96 for the fourth wicket against Newtown & Chilwell. The Cats made 195 with Paddy McKenna coming on late to snare four wickets while 10 of Jorden Lewis’ 17 overs were maidens on his way to 1/29. In reply, the Two Blues, who must win to have any hope of playing finals, are 2/14 with Weigl capturing both wickets to round off a productive afternoon.
