Go and whoa in Grampians division

A two-day round-eight fixture of Grampians Cricket Association’s A Grade competition was marred by a forfeit of Aradale to SwiftsGreat Western.

Word is that Aradale, a one-team club, had enough players for day one, but on day two, part of the long weekend, it was going to be short.

If this was the case the Combine might feel it was cheated of a chance to win outright.

In other games, undefeated Youth Club was headed on the first innings by BuangorTatyoon on a sub-standard wicket at Tatyoon, where 21 wickets fell for just 125 runs.

Being sent in, Youth Club managed just 51 runs with only Ethan Marrow, 15, reaching double figures. The best of the bowlers was Lachie Oddie with an amazing 5-5 from 6.2 overs.

In reply, Buangor-tatyoon was all out for 68, a lead of 17 runs with best performers captain Michael Harrick, 22, with the bat and Gary Martin, 3-19, with the ball.

Batting a second time, the Clubbers have already lost Angus Barham and are 1-6, still 11 runs behind and with a lot of work to do if they are to salvage a win.

Hopefully the pitch will not be as bowler-friendly this week.

In the remaining match, Halls Gap’s batting has again let the side down and the Gappers appear to be heading for an outright defeat against Pomonal.

Batting first at Ararat’s Alexandra Oval, the Gappers were all out for 83, with Josh Leith, 21, the top scorer. Best of the bowlers were Aaron Slorach and Lachlan Dalkin, with three wickets each.

In their turn at the wicket, the Tigers finished at 2-64 with Luke Jordan 19 not out and still at the crease.

It is expected the Tigers will attempt to make this a three-innings game.

In other Grampians association news, a representative team is competing in Bendigo Country Week in division two, having been promoted after winning last year.

Grampians lost to Portland in its first game and played Grassmere yesterday. The competition is a chance for the better players in the association to display their wares on a broader stage.

A Swifts-great Western team also won its qualifying final match of a Sungold T20 tournament on Sunday.

The Combine beat South Gambier, the team that narrowly defeated them in the semi-final of last year’s tournament.

South Gambier sent the Combine in and the team accumulated 5-137 off its 20 overs. Travis Nicholson led the way with 43 not out. Other contributors were Sam Cocks, 33, Craig Marrow, 24, and Matt Heffer, 23.

South Gambier was never in the hunt, succumbing to scoreboard pressure, and was dismissed for 88 with Will Clough the best of the Combine bowlers with 4-13 and Matt Heffer and Jayden Mccartney taking two wickets each.

The Combine will now play Hamilton Cricket Club in a semi-final at Allansford on Sunday. at Allansford