Outrights and missed opportunity in Grampians
An unexpected outright, an outright, a solid win, and a lost opportunity highlighted round three of Grampians Cricket Association’s A Grade competition.
The unexpected outright came at Stawell’s Central Park where Youth Club was able to secure maximum points.
The Clubbers’ task was made easier when Aradale turned up with only seven players, leaving great holes in the field – and only six wickets to take in the second innings.
Taking full advantage of this was Koby Stewart, who scored his maiden century, 116 not out, and Cam Kimber, 66.
Travis Horvetech was able to fin- ish with 5-69 and opening bowler Clinton Slorach finished with 3-21 in Aradale’s second innings.
The extra four points to the Clubbers will prove handy during the season.
Veteran Swifts-great Western player Rick Peters turned back the clock to score 145 in the Combine’s comfortable 124-run win over Pomonal.
Ricky had help from Travis Nicholson, 44, and youngster Aiden Graverson, 32 not out. Lee Oliver, five, and Matt Grinham, three, were the main wicket takers for the Tigers.
Buangor bounced back into contention by gaining maximum points against Halls Gap.
Leading by 199 runs, Buangor batted on to declare at 7/348, with Jacob Bates taking his score from 96 to 150 not out.
The only Gappers bowler to make any impression was Brett Gay with 3-62.
The Gappers’ second innings was their best for the year, scoring 147, but it was way short of forcing Buangor to bat again. Buangor’s best bowler was Jack Fraser with 5-53.
Tatyoon would be kicking itself over its decision to bat for too long after passing a Navarre score, and not leaving enough time to dismiss Navarre for a second time.
This was probably brought about by allowing Jarrod Blanford time to complete his century, 102 not out.
The Grasshoppers’ second innings was a teetering 8-44 at stumps.
An outright victory would have seen the Hawks climb to second spot.
This round the association will feature another round of two-day games, with all four matches scheduled for turf wickets.
The main interest will be between top team Youth Club and second-placed Swifts-great Western at Central Park. The teams are the keenest of rivals and this match could go either way.
The Clubbers have taken 40 wickets this season, while the Combine has scored nearly 200 runs more than other teams, so it looks to be a battle between the Clubbers’ bowlers and the Combine’s batsmen.
Buangor will host Pomonal at Beaufort in a match of great importance to both teams.
A Buangor win will see it consolidate its position in the four, while a Tigers win will see them replace Buangor in the four.
Buangor might just have a few too many guns for Pomonal.
By some strange quirk of the draw Navarre again plays Aradale at Ararat’s Alexandra Oval, after facing off in round one.
Navarre was disappointing last match, while Aradale let itself down with a lack of players, so there is a chance for one of the teams to redeem itself.
Tatyoon hosts Halls Gap and after the last match I’m sure Tatyoon will deliberate long and hard about when it is going to declare.
The Gappers’ last innings was their best for the year, and with Sean Mantell and Damien Joiner playing their first game in the seconds last week, will be strengthened this time around.