Round 2 GCA1 TOP SIX
LEOPOLD 141
LARA 0-1
Played at Marshall
LEOPOLD grafted its way through 80 overs on Sunday to a modest total of 140 against Lara. On a slow wicket and a lush outfield at Marshall, a double breakthrough by the Cats’ most successful bowler Matt Richmond left the Lions on 2-10 early and needing to rebuild. They gradually did this through Ben O’Brien and Anthony Kilfoyle but with hard-hit drives quickly pulling up, the runs for a time came at a trickle. Later, with a few wickets in hand, Marcus Stow (27) and Jake Kiddle (26) pushed the total towards something defendable. After both sides lost in Round One, a win next week is essential. And while bowling is Leopold’s strength, the Lara batting line-up is more than capable of chasing such a total when play resumes.
NORTH GEELONG 3-98
HIGHTON
Played at Osborne Park
NORTH Geelong reached 3-98 in the 31 overs play available in its match against Highton at Osborne Park. Like their counterparts at Myers Reserve it will take an imaginative declaration from Magpies captain Sam Hall or a devastating spell of bowling from someone for the game to reach a definite conclusion. Hall, still at the crease on 52 not out, has to some extent the destiny of the match in his own hands. His half-century and 94 run stand with Andrew Fergusson (34) has already been important after the Heat’s young Scottish import Scott McElnea (2-34) made an early double breakthrough.
EAST BELMONT
GEELONG CITY 5-118
Played at Winter Reserve
EAST Belmont look to be in a strong position in its match against Geelong City at Winter Reserve in a game reduced to 66 overs per side. The Sharks were sent in and led by Englishman Richard Oliver (42) made a steady start. But three run-outs (now six for the season) again blighted the innings. And late in the day Chris Bambury and Ben Spencer were able to rattle quickly through the overs so that at 5-118 from 57, the visitors will need a prompt acceleration next week to set any sort of challenging target.
BELL POST HILL 3-66
GEELONG WEST
Played at Myers Reserve
BELL Post Hill and Geelong West lost so much time at Myers Reserve to rain, it will be difficult without manipulation to reach a result next week. Only 27 overs were completed, although in that time, the Panthers managed to lose 3/1 at one stage. That they finished on 3-66 was almost solely due to their captain, Tim Sells, who made 48 of the 54 runs scored from the bat. Craig Allthorpe escaped any punishment from Sells, conceding just two runs during an eightover spell that included the wicket of Richie Farrington.