Saints sizzle at Frier Reserve as Banno feels burn
GUILD-ST MARY’S 5-196
BANNOCKBURN 9-194
GUILD-ST MARY’S has continued its unbeaten run in GCA3, defeating Bannockburn by five wickets at Frier Reserve.
Having been set 195 for victory the Saints chased down their required target with 15 overs to spare, thanks largely to the efforts of opener Justin Larkins (80) and Amritpal Chhina (52 not out).
Larkins said the home side was always confident it could get the runs needed to add to its hot start to the season.
“We were thinking pretty early it wasn’t going to be enough on that pitch,” he said.
“It usually plays pretty good at Guild so you usually need a few. Last week against Corio our No.7 made 70 so we bat all the way down to 11 and they (Bannockburn) were 40 at the 20over break so we were looking over and thinking it wasn’t enough.
“(For me) it was just a case of waiting for the ball to be in the right spot. The bowling was pretty good but I just waited for one off a length and that was what we were all doing. Amritpal was the same. It was just waiting for the right ball to hit.”
Larkins said he could not recall a time the entire Guild-St Mary’s club had been in such good form across all grades.
“We had a long pre-season and I have been saying to the guys this is the best I have ever seen it down at Guild,” he said.
“We have still got a few guys to come in yet but the whole club is doing well.
“Last week we had all sides win and on Saturday we had all five sides win again, so we have lost one game as a club for the season, which is very exciting.
“We have Thomson next week now and then Teesdale, so we will see how we go.”