East Belmont captain Shane McNamara piloted his side’s GCA win on Saturday January 21 with his fourth century of the season.
McNamara’s 117 from 134 deliveries was the highlight of East Belmont’s score of 235 against St Joseph’s.
McNamara has made 573 runs so far this season at the Bradmanesque average of 95.50.
Hayden McMahon contributed 55, but no other East Belmont batter could occupy the crease for any length of time.
Three wickets each to Ben Clark, Brandon Purcell and Austin Humphrey helped Joeys get back into the contest.
Joeys’ run chase started disastrously, being 3/6 although half-centuries from Jonathon Casey and Humphrey pushed the total up to 192, but still well short.
Dylan Moroney (3/33) and Josh Lacey (3/30) did enough to ensure East Belmont stayed in second place on the ladder.
Two former Anglesea stars helped North Geelong to a win against Highton.
Ned Cooper made 82 not out and Dale Kerr 55 not out in the Magpies’ win.
Earlier, Tom Mathieson (4/30) continued his amazing season for North Geelong to help his side restrict Highton 8/166.
In reply, North Geelong was 4/70 but Cooper and Kerr guided the team home with six wickets and almost 10 overs to spare.
Newtown & Chilwell stayed in fourth spot with a win against an improved Lara.
Lara batted first and made 5/207 with Kaden Marum (73) and Daniel Hughes (56) playing well.
In reply, Tom Meredith hit 96 off 102 deliveries and Sam Mitchell made 60 in a 136-run partnership between the two.
Newtown & Chilwell made the runs in 44 overs despite a good spell from Mitchell Heyward (2/36 from nine overs).
South Barwon got the points against Grovedale thanks largely to a five-wicket haul from Ryan Gibson.
South Barwon made 177 batting first with Gibson setting the tone for what was to follow with a well made 53.
Clinton Ford (3/20) and Sam Coutts (3/39) kept the brakes on the innings for the Tigers.
Grovedale then replied with 155 batting first with Michael McNeel making 64, but it was Gibson who turned the game in a player of the match performance with 5/25 to have the Swans knocking on the door of the top four.
