LETHAL LIONS FIRE UP
Express quick David Lineen was at his fearsome best on Saturday, leading an East Belmont attack that rose to the challenge in the top-ofthe-table GCA1 clash against North Geelong.
A HOSTILE opening spell from East Belmont paceman Dave Lineen (3-36), coupled with an outstanding haul of 6-58 from leg-spinning coach Chris Williams, has the Lions strongly positioned to inflict North Geelong’s first defeat of the season at Osborne Park.
“They’re a really strong side with a great batting line-up, so if we were offered to have them dismissed for 205 at the start of the day we would have taken that,” Williams said.
“That certainly gives us an even chance next week, to get it done.”
Lineen removed Sam Hall (1), Blake Troy (4) and Damian Vassiliou (4) in quick succession before Williams engaged in an intriguing battle with the Magpies, dismissing Curtly Balshaw (24) and Andrew Fergusson (21) to have the host teetering at 5-63.
Braden Szponar (53) set about consolidating the innings, working initially with teenager Tanner Bruhn (11) and then coach Nathan Fitzpatrick (35) to restore order with a well-deserved half-century.
“He played his shots through the middle there, so he certainly showed a bit of bravery,” Williams said of Szponar’s knock.
“He continued to go over the top even when they were in a little bit of trouble.”
Tom Mathieson (25) and Peter Kenyon (15) battled hard for a mental edge, tipping the Magpies over the 200-mark with a 30-run, ninth-wicket union.
Williams was full of praise for the debut of East Belmont all-rounder 16-year old Charlie Walter, although the wily spinner conceded it was a wicket better suited to James McMahon and himself.
“There was certainly some assistance today where with the works on the ground they weren’t able to get as much water on the ground as they would have liked, so it was quite dry, it really suited the spinners,” he said.
“They’ll miss not having Mitch Troy next week, because he’d be a real handful on that wicket.”