Wild Dogs searching for GCL win

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Warragul and District Cricket Association remain searching for their first win of the Gippsland Cricket League season after falling short against Sale-Maffra on Sunday.

An unbeaten 73 from Sale-Maffra wicketkeeper Nathan Massey, along with starts to Anthony Scott (44) and Stuart Anderson (30) helped the Sharks post 9-204 after being sent in.

Missing key players due to a clash with the Gippsland Pride under 21 players gunning for a state championship, Thomas Keily (3/17) and Nick Fairbank (2/27) stood up to help stymie the flow of runs.

But the competitive total proved enough for the Sharks, with the Wild Dogs dismissed for 161 in the final over.

Openers Jack Paull and Fraser Duncan got the chase off to a good start with a partnership of 63, but Jack Tatterson broke the partnership on the way to finishing with 5/29 as the Wild Dogs faltered.

Rhys Holdsworth (43) and Ryan Williams (24) did their best to keep the Wild Dogs in the hunt, but the lower order was left with too much to do.

Bairnsdale and Traralgon and District played out a thrilling tie in the other senior match.

Both sides were dismissed for 132 in a tight contest, Bairnsdale appearing on track in the chase before losing their final three wickets for just three runs. Leongatha had the bye. Out of contention, the Wild Dogs will look to finish on a high in the final round against Bairnsdale.

Bairnsdale’s tie with Traralgon leaves it in contention for the final, needing a win and Leongatha loss to top of the table Sale-Maffra to qualify.

Hot Shots in form

Warragul and District Hot Shots have made a competitive start to the season without managing to collect the points in the opening two rounds.

In the opening round, the Hot Shots pushed perennial finalists Bairnsdale to go down by just six runs.

Jess Sanders led the way with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 33, while Denise Sanders and Rachel Smith both made 19 to help the Hot Shots post a competitive total of 125.

The Hot Shots took wickets at regular intervals to give themselves every chance of walking away from Bairnsdale City oval with the points, but were ultimately undone by a half century to Bairnsdale captain Zoe QuinseyMunro.

Jess Sanders and Madlyn Borsato put the pressure on with the new ball, while Erin Maxwell also chipped in with two wickets.

The Hot Shots put in another competitive effort against Sale-Maffra in the second round played at Yarragon on Sunday.

Early wickets from Jess Sanders (4/11) put the Sharks on the back foot, but Meika King found support to make her first half century to help the Sharks post a competitive total of 7/147.

Denise Sanders and Paula Borsato helped the Hot Shots to a good start in the run chase, but when the latter was forced to retire hurt on 22 the Sale-Maffra bowlers were able to tie the Hot Shots batters down.

Jess Sanders also made it to double figures, but the Hot Shots found it difficult to score as they finished on 7/87.

Pride teams picked

Local cricketers have been selected to represent Gippsland in junior state championships.

Halora’s Aidan Phillips and Neerim District’s Rhys George have been selected in the Gippsland Pride under 18 13-player squad.

Warragul and District are also well represented in the under 14 squad, with Hallora players Chris Diston and Liam Serong joined in the squad by Western Park’s Liam O’Connor and Jindivick’s Rhys Galvin.