Catch-up weekend
Grampians Cricket Association games on Saturday included a couple of lost opportunities with both Chalambar and Pomonal missing chances to upset more fancied opponents.
Chalambar fell short in a match against Youth Club and Pomonal missed out on upsetting Swiftsgreat Western.
Turf wickets at Ararat and Stawell were underprepared due to rain during the week, which led to conditions favoring the bowlers.
At Ararat’s Alexandra Oval, Chalambar elected to bat and posted 107 off just 31.3 overs, with the best of the Clubbers’ bowlers Nic Baird 5-17 and Harvey Evans 4-32.
The Clubbers’ turn at the crease saw them slump to 9-61 before an unfinished 10th wicket stand of 52 between Matt Healy, 45 not out, and Clinton Slorach, 25 not out, saw them home. Guddie Singh captured 4-15
It was a similar story at Stawell’s Central Park, where Pomonal bowlers again did the job for their team by dismissing the Combine for a low 104. But its batsmen fell short on 9-86.
Fortunately for the Combine some of their frontline bowlers returned – Jamie Bach capturing 2-16 and Jay Moody 2-14.
Luckily for the Tigers they remain in the four because challenger Halls Gap fell in a 140-run demolition to the Buangor-tatyoon Hawks.
Batting first on the small Halls Gap oval, the Hawks amassed 8-195 thanks mainly to Jacob Bates’ 83, then blitzed the Gappers for just 56.
Will Chamings, Michael Harricks and Callum Baker took three wickets each.
The bright spot for the Gappers was young Toby Ripper taking 3-26 with his spinners.
The association had left the coming weekend free to allow for any Covid-related lockdowns to be rescheduled to this date.
This means the only games this weekend will be Halls Gap against Pomonal in A Grade and Rhymney-moyston playing Navarre in B Grade.
The A Grade match between the Gappers and the Tigers is of vital importance to both sides, because they are both vying for that fourth spot on the ladder.
The result will probably be decided by the bowlers because batsmen hitting winning scores are rare.
In other news, Swifts-great Western has organised a 30-year reunion of a 1991-92 premiership team for February 19.
Organisers have included all players from the 1985 to 1995 era and they will meet for lunch under the number-one grandstand at 12.30pm before the Youth Club match.
Stawell Great Western secretary Marc Brilliant said any player from that era who had not received an invitation and would like to attend could contact the club for catering purposes.
Club president, Nick Clough, who played in the 1991-92 team, said the event was a great way for the club to keep in touch with past players and vice-versa. This week: Halls Gap v Pomonal. Last week: Youth Club 9-113 (M. Healy 45no, C. Slorach 25no, N. Baird 22; G. Singe 4-15) d Chalambar 107 (S. Pilgrim 29, R. Bertram 27; N. Baird 5-17, H. Evans 4-32). Ladder: Buangor-tatyoon 51 points, 1.95 percent; Swiftsgreat Western 42, 2.07; Youth Club 30, 1.18; Pomonal 18, 0.57; Chalambar 12, 0.57; Halls Gap 12, 0.50.