Star English import Greg Willows belted his second century of the season to keep Highton’s GCA finals hopes well and truly alive.
The 24-year-old made a superb 147 from just 124 deliveries as Highton raced to a huge score of 6/286 against Newtown & Chilwell. He bludgeoned 13 fours and six sixes at Queen’s Park Reserve.
The Leicestershire talent played for the Heat last season and had a good season without scoring a century, but that has all changed this time around.
Willows made 126 against Lara in round six and followed it up on Saturday with another swashbuckling innings.
“Last year was so stop and start that I never really got going,” he said.
“I don’t know why. I probably wasn’t used to the conditions, but this year I know everyone from the club and know the opposition.
“I think I’m just in a better position to score runs because we’ve been playing every week, so it’s been a massive plus.”
Willows has his sights set on County cricket in the UK next season and knows that weight of runs at any level will help.
“It was a really good batting pitch, which obviously helps,” he said.
“Felt really good from ball one. It was one of those days. It doesn’t always go that way.”
Highton’s top order, while not prolific, all contributed, which allowed Willows to play his own game.
“They played a massive role in me being able to come in and bat freely and then score at the end,” Willows said.
“Just good support enabled us to get that score. Without those partnerships, you can’t keep scoring freely because if you keep losing wickets at the other end, you’ve got to rein it in.”
Highton’s bowlers then got the job done, bowling the potentially dangerous Two Blues out for 133.
Errol Burns picked up three wickets while Nash Viney, Nathan McCoach and Fionn Neeson grabbed two each.
Spinner Viney picked up the prize wicket of Englishman Ronnie McKenna for 12.
“That was a big wicket for us, I reckon he was looking in good nick,” Willows said.
“It was a great delivery. He probably deceived him with that one.”
Leg-spinner Neeson also drew high praise.
“He’s been brilliant for us since he’s come in,” Willows said.
“We didn’t really give any boundary balls at all. With that total (the key) was to just not give boundary balls early on because if they get off to a flyer, then they have some really good players.”
EAST Belmont crushed St Joseph’s. Shane McNamara (66), Josh Lacey (57) and Luke Inglis (47 not out) were the architects of a 4/219 total batting first. James McMahon (3/27 from 10 overs) then stepped in with the ball to help get Joeys all out for 135.
LARA defeated South Barwon to keep its finals hopes alive. Brad Hauenstein (50 not out) batted well for South Barwon, but a real team effort with the ball, led by Casey Young (2/13 from 10 overs), restricted the final total to 8/160. Sam Ellis then took 3/31 to give South Barwon a sniff, but Daniel Weigl (36) and Daniel Hughes (43 not out) got Lara home with three wickets and 14 balls to spare.
NORTH Geelong heads into the break on top of the ladder after taking the points against Grovedale. Grovedale made 8/178 with Brayden Engelen-Baker (40) top scoring, but a superb unbeaten 79 from Philip Visser saw the Magpies to safety despite some good bowling from Jack Wrigglesworth (3/36).
