After dominating for most of the match, Highton had to settle for a draw against South Barwon and left Reynolds Oval with nothing to show for it.
Under the new rules in Geelong Cricket Association this season, no points are awarded for draws.
The Swans held on in the dying moments as Highton pressed for the final wicket to seal victory.
However, Highton skipper Nathan McCoach said he was pleased with the way his side played.
“The quicks like me and Hayden Burns, we probably didn’t bowl well really, but we’re pretty lucky that we’ve got three or four slower bowlers that stem the flow of runs and then take regular wickets,” he said.
“So we’re pretty happy and 80 overs is a long time to survive and probably for the last hour and a half they kind of shut up shop and obviously did it pretty well. We’re pretty happy with taking the nine wickets to be honest, but disappointed with the result.”
McCoach declared at Highton’s overnight score of 6/371, but South Barwon survived 80 overs on day two to finish at 9/322 with Brad Hauenstein unbeaten on 95 and number 11 Sydney Ray on 13 from 30 balls.
Leg-spinner Fionn Neeson tried his best to get Highton over the line with 5/109 from 26 overs.
“I can’t really say a bad word about how he’s (Neeson) bowling at the moment,” McCoach said.
“It’s just incredible. His control and just changes of pace and all of his variations. We’re really lucky to have him.”
Highton has a young squad and sits fourth on the ladder and McCoach is pleased with the way the team is developing. Neeson is young, Errol Burns is 21 and day one century makers Brady Somers and Zach Wills are in their early 20s.
“Pretty satisfying for them to be starting to play more of a role,” he said.
“We knew over the past few seasons that they’re going to be good cricketers. It’s just kind of wait and see. It was definitely going to come. It’s really good to see that they’re starting to play more of a role because the ability is definitely there. It’s just learning the game and learning their own game as well.”
Highton takes on reigning premier North Geelong in round 7.
“No matter who we’re playing against, we go with the mindset that we’re going to win and we can win,” McCoach said.
“This week’s no different. They’ve won the last four or five premierships for a reason. They’re a top quality team. But if we’re playing at our best, we honestly believe that we can beat anyone. We’re really confident with how we’re going.”
EAST Belmont skipper Shane McNamara belted 135 from 137 deliveries to help get his side over the line against St Peters. Chasing 334 for victory, James Lidgett chipped in with 70 from 91 with East Belmont getting the runs in the 67th over.
NEWTOWN & Chilwell chased down North Geelong’s 316 with openers Dylan Hodge and Michael Grohmann each making 97 and Ronnie McKenna getting a typically stylish 64. Left-arm spinner Alistair McCann tried his best for the Magpies with 3/87 from 24 overs.
GROVEDALE piled on the runs to defeat St Joseph’s by 205 runs. Jack Wrigglesworth top scored with 64 in Grovedale’s 6/245 while Clinton Ford (55 not out) and Michael McNeel (50) also passed 50. Tom Smith toiled hard for Joeys with 3/40 from 16 overs.
IN DIVISION 2, Bell Post Hill defeated Murgheboluc despite a fine unbeaten 101 from Frogs’ batter Luke Webb while Geelong City defeated Leopold with Byron Taylor and Riley McLure snaring three wickets each. Andrew Hughes guided Lara to victory against Geelong West with 122 from 178 balls and Torquay got the better of Bell Park with Jackson Gordon taking three wickets.
