LUCK, fate, divine intervention – whatever the reason, it’s miraculous that any cricket was able to be played in the Wellington Shire over the weekend.
The fourth round of the Sale-Maffra Cricket Association was supposed to be a sun-soaked celebration, heralding the return of the two-day, red ball format.
Instead, wet weather descended from the north-west just as games were about to get underway, and it looked as though the rain would never relent.
Yet relent it did, and by mid-afternoon all four first-grade matches were able to proceed.
Affairs were mostly one-sided, though there was a single evenly-poised matched to be seen at Rosedale Recreation Reserve…
Rosedale-Kilmany v Bundalaguah
THE Warriors won the toss and batted first on their home turf, despite conditions once again favouring the bowlers.
It’s a decision that appeared costly early in their innings, with openers Ashton Wright and Brandon McDonald both caught for ducks. Brad Scott was then trapped on his pads for eight and Nathan Hangan departed for naught, all in the space of 15 overs.
With the score 4/13, things didn’t look promising for Rosedale-Kilmany.
Brothers Rohan and Jay Diamond righted the ship with a 32-run partnership before the former was lost for 27; the latter following two overs later on nine runs.
The subsequent loss of captain Isaac Love, and then Cameron Freshwater left the Warriors 8/60.
At this point, it seemed inevitable that Bundalaguah would be batting before the close of play – that was until Michael Walters took to the crease.
Walters lived up to his nickname of ‘SOS’, scoring 52 runs in the next 30 overs to leave the Warriors on a respectable score of 8/157 by day’s end.
Spencer Fox supported him well, adding 45 runs to their ninth-wicket stand.
Steve Spoljaric inflicted the most damage for Bundy with astonishing figures of 6/20 across 23 overs, including 14 maidens.
Boisdale-Briagolong v Sale
AS with their counterparts in Rosedale, the Saints opted to bat first after winning the toss at home.
Unlike the Warriors though, Boisdale-Briagolong failed to post a healthy total, all out for 74 in the 39th over.
Curiously, five of their wickets were caught and bowled.
Jonathon Outhart and Ryan Marshall were the highest scorers, both with 14 runs to their name.
Marshall also contributed to the biggest partnership, with he and Craig Stewart making 16 runs for the 10th wicket.
All of Sale’s bowlers were simply clinical – according to the scorecard, they recorded zero extras across 39 overs.
Ben Jones was best for the Swans with 5/36 off 12 overs.
In reply, Sale has so far made 72 runs with six wickets in hand, Matt Jackson their best batsman with 22.
Boisdale-Briagolong’s Nick Pang and Dylan Bolton were economical, taking two wickets each before the day concluded.
Stratford v Longford
TROUBLES are few for the Redbacks at the halfway point of their match after making Longford bat first.
The Lizards lost their openers early before Jake Wynd and Ash Vogt built a steady total for the third wicket.
Sadly, their partnership lasted just 25 runs and 12 overs before Wynd went for 19.
Vogt, who had been promoted up the order following his heroics against Maffra last week, was again the highest scorer for Longford, yet could only manage 20 before he was bowled by Lachlan Channing.
A fearsome bowling trio of Channing (3/6), Jack Rietschel (4/14) and Zane Waixel (3/4) resulted in Longford being dismissed for just 54.
Stratford then took to the crease, Bohdi Walker being their only loss as they closed at 1/96.
Chris Aurisch posted a half-century for the third time in four matches, ably backed by Channing who has scored 21 thus far.
Maffra v Collegians
WITH Maffra having borne the brunt of Saturday’s wet weather, play at the Cameron Sporting Complex started later than all other games.
Collegians was sent in by the home side, with Zac Hurley and Tom Morrison amassing 58 runs by the first drinks break.
There was a couple of run out chances and shouts for lbw, but other than that, the opening pair looked unperturbed at the crease.
That was until the Eagles’ first wicket came in the 23rd over, when Hurley was caught behind on 38.
Morrison was next to fall in the 31st, stumped by Nathan Hibbins just one run short of his fifty.
College ended the day sitting at 2/132, seemingly assured of a huge total when play resumes next weekend.
