An unbeaten double-century partnership got Queenscliff’s Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association A1 Grade season back on track after a winless opening three rounds.
Captain Hayden Illingworth and fellow opener Lochie Philp chased down Barrabool’s score of 6/197 all by themselves in an impressive response.
It was only a matter of time before Queenscliff got onto the winner’s list even though it lost its first three games. The signs have been there, particularly the batting, with totals of 188, 186 and 192.
On Saturday 25 October at Queenscliff, Illingworth (100 not out) and Philp (96 not out) timed their run chase to perfection after being 0/61 after 20 overs.
“We had to go at seven an over after the drinks break, which with 10 wickets in hand, you might say that’s pretty doable when you’re used to watching international level cricketers go at eight or nine an over pretty easily,” Illingworth said.
“We felt like we were pretty bogged down in the first 20 and we didn’t have a lot of momentum. So we had to break the shackles a little bit and that was more on me.
“I’d had most of the strike, probably took 70 percent of the strike from Philpy. So I said to him, ‘I’m going to get a move on here’.”
And move on he did with the pair getting the runs from the final ball of the penultimate over. Fittingly, it was Illingworth who hit the ball to the boundary to bring up his century. Philp wouldn’t have been unhappy with 96 not out. In fact, Illingworth said he is the ultimate team player.
“I would have loved to play just another couple of balls for his sake,” Illingworth said.
“It was a matter of time with Philpy, though. He’s an unreal trainer. Really good attitude towards cricket. He’s the hardest worker of the group and sets a brilliant standard for everyone.”
Earlier in the game, five of Barrabool’s top six got starts, but good spells from Jordan Monahan (0/22 from eight overs), Frank Mileto (1/29 from eight) and Jordan Aldrich (1/33 from eight) kept the total to less than 200.
“It wasn’t a perfectly executed bowling innings, but we’re probably missing three guys that would usually play A Grade as bowlers at the moment,” Illingworth said.
“So it would just be a matter of other guys stepping in and playing a role. It might not look really pretty, and we might not be able to run through teams and bowl them out cheaply, but you’ve just got to stick to the task and keep your standards as high as possible.”
The win lifted Queenscliff from last place to sixth on the ladder with 75-over beginning this weekend. The Coutas travel to Jan Juc for round 5 with the Sharks in fourth place.
LEWY Hyland peeled off a 57-ball century for Barwon Heads in a massive win against Armstrong Creek. Hyland was eventually dismissed for 125 from 69 deliveries while belting 10 sixes and battling a hamstring strain. The Heads made 5/296 with Max Melzer enjoying the best seat in the house at the nonstriker’s end watching Hyland’s destruction, but also made an important 55 while skipper Dan Donaldson got 37 and Darcy Hewitt enjoyed his promotion up the order, getting a quick 44 off 23 deliveries. The Titans finished on 5/101 in reply with Lewy’s cousin Harry Hyland snaring the opening two wickets of the innings.
TYRON Norman steered Anglesea to a four-wicket win against Inverleigh with a classy unbeaten 43 from as many balls. The Seas restricted the Kookaburras to 7/122 with left-arm paceman Dylan Taylor grabbing 3/23. Anglesea’s top four all got starts, but nobody passed 17 until Norman stepped in and, after a rain delay, got Anglesea home.
SPEEDSTER Blake Dobbin picked up 4/24 and Tallan Burns 3/25 to help Drysdale dismiss Jan Juc for 117 although Peter Buszard played well for his 60. The experienced Jason Malcolm (34) and improving youngster Hayden Eddy (32 not out) saw the Hawks safely past the required total with six wickets and almost 15 overs to spare.
