Seagulls left in a spin
SHARKS DIVE INTO THIRD POSITION
A PLAN to tie down Barwon Heads’ power hitters with spin proved a masterstroke as Jan Juc sharpened its premiership credentials with a five-wicket upset win on Saturday.
The Sharks leapfrogged the Seagulls in one defining Saturday that could have ramifications on the competition come March.
Jan Juc moved into third on the ladder, three points ahead of Barwon Heads (fourth).
Opening the bowling with the spin of Iva Priest worked wonders, dismissing the dangerous Sam Schaller for four in a targeted approach to take pace off the ball.
The Sharks chased down the Seagulls’ target of 164 in 39 overs, just five wickets down.
“We decided to do something a little different — we opened with spin from one end,” Jan Juc coach Jordan Graham said.
“We got Schaller second or third ball with spin, and it was just about not letting him and Lewy Hyland get off to a flyer. Lewy is one of the most dangerous batsmen in the comp.”
Priest finished with 1-33 off eight overs, backed up by the pace of Nick Smith (2-24) and Graham (3-52).
Graham said the spin approach was a “horses for courses” tactic.
“They go hard pretty early and pace on the ball isn’t always the best option,” he said.
“It worked yesterday and we got the wickets. It won’t be every week, but it’s something up our sleeve.”
Schaller did some damage with the ball to keep the Seagulls’ hopes alive, taking 3-20 off eight overs, but t a contr controlled innings from Ben n Grinter (53) and Andrew Murden (38 not out) got Jan Juc home.
“It was almost a semi-final for us in a way,” Graham said.
“We haven’t beaten them in a one-dayer for a while and you’ve got to beat the teams around you on the ladder to play finals.
“We stressed all week it was a mini semi-final. It was almost a 12-point game, wasn’t it? It was a massive result for us.”