HORAN’S HAIRRAISING EFFORT NOT ENOUGH
Bell Post Hill star Lachlan Horan snared 5-36 against Bell Park. But his efforts with the ball weren’t enough with the Dragons going on to claim a 37-run win in GCA2 on Saturday.
BELL Park has strengthened its premiership credentials, crushing a second former Division 1 club to remain unbeaten at the top of the ladder.
After taking the scalp of relegated first XI club St Peter’s last week, the Dragons defended a miserly total of 148 against the Panthers to proved they are a force to be reckoned with.
“It was another yardstick game for us to see where we sat in the field,” Bell Park coach Michael Lymer said.
“With a couple of Division 1 sides coming down, it was another chance to measure where we’re at, so to come out and win the way we did was pretty impressive, to be honest.
“The pitch was really good, there was plenty of grass, but it was just hard to get yourself in,” Lymer said.
“Anthony Grace, Shane (Lymer) and Jarrod Andrews set that benchmark for us and were 3-100 after 30.
“Generally you look at that and say you double your score with seven wickets in hand, so I thought we needed a score of 180 minimum.
“So that was the thing that disappointed me the most about our performance. Our tailenders needing to capitalise with a 30 or 40 run partnership and that turns 140 in 180 and we bat our overs.”
Shane Lymer was the glue in the Dragons’ innings of 148, compiling 45 as his side was bundled out in the 47th over.
Lachlan Horan was the star for the Panthers, snaring 5-36 to give his side a sniff of victory.
But Bell Post Hill’s hopes quickly evaporated in the run chase, losing Tim Sells and Lachlan Handley for ducks and Ben Muir for 3 to be reeling at 3-8.
Despite the best efforts of captain Matt Sampson-Barnes, who produced a game-high 55, the Panthers were rolled in the 46th over.
Mitch Trask was irrepressible with the ball, snaring 3-12 from 10 overs.
“Mitch and Jack Maclean bowled as good as I’ve seen three games in,” Michael Lymer said.
“It definitely won us the game, no doubt about that.”