Anglesea’s plan works a treat

A MATCH-WINNING 125-run partnership between coach Dale Kerr and Tyron Norman powered Anglesea to an openinground win over reigning premier Collendina.

Both batsman fell just five runs short of their century and half-century milestones respectively, but together managed to grind out a confidence-boosting win for a side looking to climb its way into finals this season.

“We had a bit of a plan at the start of the day with the bat and it sort of panned out pretty well,” Kerr (95) said following the win.

“The first 10 overs (it was) to really just consolidate, don’t look to score too much sort of thing, have good intent but obviously not to lose a wicket and then just after that really pushing the singles and putting the pressure on the fielders a little bit more when we’re playing our shots.”

Chasing 143 for victory, Anglesea started the day 2-20, with Kerr and opener Sam Weight returning to the crease after captain Ned Cooper and Tyler Dittloff were dismissed on the first day’s play.

Weight made his way to 16 before being bowled by Charlie Lamb to put Anglesea on shaky ground early at 3-44.

But it was steady work from there on in as Norman and Kerr dug in, making their way to tea before upping the ante to surpass the 143-run target, with play ending after Dean Britt eventually knocked over Kerr’s stumps on 95 with Norman left unbeaten on 45.

Kerr admitted that while he and Norman were able to put on a substantial glut of runs, they were by no means easy to come by.

“It was definitely a grind, they bowled really well out there, bowled some good line and length areas and were hard to get away at the start,” he said.

Charlie Lamb finished with figures of 2-43 including five maidens to be Collendina’s best, which will next up face a grand final replay against Barwon Heads.

Anglesea’s Dale Kerr, main, before being bowled for 95, below. Tyron Norman, bottom left, provided the support role. Pictures: MIKE DUGDALE WINCHELSEA has secured its maiden BPCA win, holding on for a narrow six-run victory over Barwon Heads away. Dean Hampshire and Matthew Partridge did most of the damage for the Blues with 3-29 and 3-53, while Alan Daniel was the pick of the Barwon Heads batsmen with 37. OCEAN GROVE eased its way to an opening-round win, dismissing Queenscliff for just 129. Defending an imposing 268, Jackson Kent led the bowling attack with 4-21 including six maidens in a strong performance, while recruit Sam Jubber claimed 3-25. Tony Hanafin was Queenscliff’s best, top-scoring with an unbeaten 42. BARRABOOL fell just 10 runs shy of Portarlington’s total after being bowled out with two overs remaining. Nathan Findlay notched 51 to be the Bulls’ best with the bat, but it was Portarlington’s even spread of wicket-takers who took the honours, with stalwart Paul McGrath claiming 3-25.

JAN JUC bowled through Little River to take a commanding Round 1 victory. Little River managed only 116 in reply to Jan Juc’s 246, with Ryen Smith doing most of the damage to claim 3-14 before Jan Juc then had a second hit, making 4-77.

DRYSDALE breezed to a comfortable win, chasing down Inverleigh’s 129 before finishing on 3-227. Opener Jason Peoples (56 runs) set the tone with a half century before Nick Hallam (50) also followed suit in a very even batting effort. Dylan Grant claimed 2-41 for Inverleigh, while Lachlan Platt’s 1-47 rounded out the wicket-takers.