Double puts Cats in eight

GEELONG has put itself in the top-eight following backto-back T20 wins in Premier Cricket, continuing the club’s steady climb back into finals contention.

A dominant bowling effort against Prahran on Saturday set up the Cats’ fourth win of the season, before Geelong showcased its strong batting in a clinical victory over Footscray yesterday.

The eye-catching Josh McDonald smashed a 34-ball half century, including two sixes and two fours, in yesterday’s contest at home.

Chasing just 5-116, McDonald (52) and Tim Ludeman (24) got the Cats off to a strong start before stand-in captain Josh Cobb (23) and Angus Boyd (14 not out) helped the home side to victory with 14 balls to spare.

Earlier, Cobb (3-13) and Dom McGlinchey (2-15) were the pick of the bowlers, restricting Footscray to just 5-116 off its 20 overs.

But Geelong’s performance with the ball was even stronger on Saturday.

Brenton McDonald (3-19) and Nathan Alexander (3-15) led the charge at Prahran, keeping the home side to 8-100 off 20 overs, before the Cats clawed their way to victory in 16.2 overs.

Boyd (32 not out) again remained untroubled with the bat, with Ludeman (20) and Thomas Treble (18) contributing in Geelong’s response of 4-101.

The Cats, who boast a 5-4 record in eighth, face Fitzroy Doncaster (sixth) and Monash Tigers (10th) in crunch twoday games before the Christmas break.

They remain without captain Eamonn Vines, who is on standby with Victoria’s Sheffield Shield side.