Barwon Heads remained undefeated after beating Barrabool in round 3 of Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association on Saturday thanks to another fine all-round team performance.
The Seagulls won the toss and batted first at Ceres Recreation Reserve and got off to a good start with Max Melzer (22) and Lewy Hyland (15) putting on a 36-run opening stand.
However, at 2/42, Barrabool was top until an 83-run partnership between Dan Donaldson (47) and Matt Bode (45) put the Heads back in charge.
Father-son duo Jacko (32 not out), in his 100th game, and Jaxon (33 not out) Mallett took the final total to 5/205 with an unbroken 63-run partnership in quick time.
Heads captain/coach Donaldson said it was a relief to finally win the toss.
“I don’t have much luck on the toss front,” he said.
“I reckon the last two seasons we’ve batted first maybe three times since I’ve taken over the captaincy and I’ve even suggested some of the other players to do the toss and no one’s really interested, but they’re happy to let me know about it when I lose one.”
Donaldson praised the form of Bode, who has made scores of 46 not out and 43, and the Mallets.
“Bodey is a seasoned campaigner and he’s really experienced and likes to be in the contest,” he said.
“It was really nice to bat out there with him for however long we did. Barrabool bowled well and that sort of made us work for it.
“Jaxson’s been opening at the start of the season, but I, just for this game, made the call to give Lewy a crack at the top and just change up some tactics. Jaxon, credit to him, took that really well and went and adjusted to it and adapted to his new role very quickly and to bat with his old man in his milestone game and put on 40 or 50 and quick time was really special to see.”
Although Donaldson was pleased with the total, he said it was “par” and knew Barrabool was capable of chasing the target down.
Seven of Barrabool’s top eight reached double figures, but some tight bowling from Sema Kamea (0/11 from six overs) and teenage leg-spinner Angus Mackie (0/22 from eight) restricted the top order from getting away.
“He’s (Kamea) obviously very experienced and can swing the ball,” Donaldson said.
“I think he (Mackie) was the pick of our bowlers and to go at 22 off eight overs on a ground like Barrabool through the middle overs when they had to score to run a ball is beyond his years.
“He’s got confidence. I mean he’s very quietly spoken, but he backed his abilities.”
Donaldson chipped in with 3/31 and Jacko Mallett took 4/36 with his skidding leggies to cap off a memorable milestone game with the Bulls all out for 168.
“Jacko’s came in as our sixth bowler the last couple of games and he’s just flexible,” Donaldson said.
“He’ll do a job, he can close the game off, he can chop in and bowl overs where he needs to. I really don’t enjoy facing him in the nets.”
ARMSTRONG Creek proved too good for Queenscliff in a competitive game. Nikhil Kapoor (55 off 38 balls) got quick runs for the Titans and Jack Maclean’s 51 not out from 50 got the score to a healthy 7/219. Max Minney took 3/31 for the Coutas with his left-arm seamers.
Hayden Illingworth (57) and Lachie Stott (35) tried their best to overhaul the total, but three wickets to Ben Fary had the Coutas 8/192 when 40 overs were bowled.
JAN Juc looked like posting a below par score against Inverleigh until Nick Hyden went berserk in the final over. Hyden (72 not out) belted 22 from the 40th over to lift the Sharks to 3/196 with Ryen Smith (42) and Fraser Clatworthy (36) laying the platform earlier in the innings. Left-arm seamer Danny Midolo was the standout bowler for the Kookaburras, conceding 16 from eight overs.
Opener Will Collins (51) played well and Will Stoney (29) and Sam Haygarth (27) chipped in, but Inverleigh needed a big knock from somewhere and was all out for 146. Three wickets each to Smith and Joey Rew got the points for the Sharks.
ANGLESEA dug deep to defeat Drysdale by eight runs. Sam Weight returned to the side and top scored with 37, but the Seas would have been disappointed with a total of 8/138. Young seamer Hayden Eddy continued his fine all-round season with 3/19 from eight overs. Only Tallan Burns (59) passed 20 for the Hawks in their run chase, but they got to 9/132 with overs in hand before Dylan Taylor took his fourth wicket and ended the game.
