SALE-MAFFRA was defeated by Leongatha in Under 18s GCL at the weekend.
The Sharks were never really in the hunt chasing 203 at Leongatha Recreation Reserve.
The Round 2 clash saw contrasting fortunes on an individual level for the home side.
Isaac Seuren top-scored with 43 from number five, yet batsman either side of him were bowled for first ball ducks.
Some runs down the order from Mitchell Croatto (24) and Noah Christensen (21 not out) helped the cause, as did Matt Dakin’s 24 off 28 balls opening the batting.
The Sharks were let down by some ordinary bowling, which returned a concerning total of 32 wides.
Matt Garland was excused from this list, taking 3/30 off 10 overs, while Tyson Dobson also exercised some control, taking 2/30 off eight.
Mitch Coridas’ took 2/41, but his figures were hurt with nine wides.
The bowling may have deflated Sale-Maffra before they started batting, as the Sharks failed to ever get going,
Mike O’Brien played a busy hand of 32 off 36 balls, and Josh Gawthrope made a patient 21 off 46, however, it ended up being a case of too much to do.
The Sharks were in a reasonable position at 2/69, but this soon became 5/85 following O’Brien’s departure.
From here, wickets fell at regular intervals, and the Sharks were soon put out of their misery, bowled out for 137.
Seuren completed a solid game for Leongatha, taking 2/17, while Aydan Williams chipped in with 2/28.
The match between Latrobe Valley and Warragul in Traralgon South was abandoned due to weather, as was the women’s game between Sale-Maffra and Latrobe Valley in the Traralgon township.
Sale-Maffra is in action this Sunday, with the Under 13 Junior Development League taking on Warragul at Rosedale Synthetic.
