SIX-WICKET KILLING BY SCHILLING
A SPECTACULAR individual bowling performance from Luke Schilling helped entrench Barwon Heads within the top four, increasing its gap on the league’s chasing pack.
Before Saturday, Schilling had never taken five wickets in a match, let alone the six he took in his side’s 37-run win after rolling through Collendina with figures of 6-38.
Schilling was given the difficult task of bowling into a heavy breeze at RT Fuller Oval and his medium pace suited the conditions.
Remarkably, he was twice on a hat trick but was unsuccessful both times.
“He’s only a little medium pacer but he just put it up there,” coach Sam Schaller said.
“We just backed him up really well in the field with a couple of outstanding catches. He’s had a day to remember for sure.”
Schilling’s performance was instrumental as his side defended 156.
Plenty of starts pleased Schaller, however no batsman went on with a large score — a pre-match talking point for Barwon Heads.
Openers Schaller (22) and Lewis Hyland (23) set the initial platform before lateorder hitting from Lachlan Campbell (23) and Bradley Michell (25) ensured a defend- able score was posted.
“It was good to see the guys in the middle order dig in, put some nice partnerships together and get us to a competitive score,” Schaller said.
“We know we’ve got guys from that six, seven, eight spot that can bat and we haven’t had to rely on them too much this year, but when they’ve had the opportunity they’ve stood up.”
Thankfully for the home side, 156 was enough as Collendina opener Kade Norquay (55) proved the only batsman for the day to pass 25, posting a timely half century — his first for the season.
The win gives Barwon Heads (third) 15 points of breathing space ahead of fifthplaced Barrabool, while Collendina (seventh) sits in relegation territory, just three points ahead of Drysdale.
The Cobras have a crucial match against Portarlington next round, which is poised to be a decisive factor in the outlook of the rest of the season.
Schaller is confident his side can cement a finals berth when they face Ocean Grove next round for the first time, with the chance to leapfrog the current ladder leaders up for grabs.
“If we can manage to get a win there, then I’d imagine that’ll go pretty close to nearly locking us in if some other results go our way,” he said.
“Looking at (Saturday’s) results, it’s good to wake up and see you’re 14 points clear of fourth position on the ladder.”