David Braithwaite
COLLEGIANS made the most of the first two-day round of the Sale-Maffra cricket season, claiming outright points against Longford.
The result didn’t seem likely on Saturday when Collegians was bowled out for 147 and the Lizards were 1-15 at stumps, but the home side took 19 wickets on Sunday to win outright by 90 runs.
The outright became possible after Longford was all-out for just 35 in the first innings.
Sent into bat, Collegians struggled early, falling to 4-17 before Zak Russell (43) and Stuart Anderson (44) put on 80 for the fifth wicket. Mark Nicholls added 21 later in the innings, with Collegians losing the final two wickets without scoring following his dismissal.
Lizards captain Lachlan Floyd and Nick Walker both claimed four wickets, ripping through the College top order.
Trying to reach stumps with their wickets in-tact, Longford openers Waltley Sutton and Sam Lucas-Laws batted patiently, but Finn Stoneman trapped Lucas-Laws in front of his stumps as the Lizards reach the end of play 1-15.
Longford only added 20 runs on Sunday before its innings ended. Sutton was the top-scorer with eight, with the second most runs coming from extras, with seven.
Charlie Morrison bowled six overs, taking 3-7, while Hudson Holmes took 3-1 from 2.3 overs.
Sensing a chance for an outright win, Collegians went on the attack in its second innings. Russell belted 46 from 20 balls, and opening partner Zac Hurley 28 from 20.
Uli van Duyker dismissed both batsmen, with the second prompting a declaration on 2-82, a lead of 194.
While the Lizards made a better effort in the second innings, they still finished well short, bowled out for 104. Van Duyker top-scored with 27.
Morrison took 3-11, to finish the match with six wickets, and Stoneman 2-18, as Collegians notched its first win of the season in style, moving it from seventh spot on the ladder to fourth.
ROSEDALE-KILMANY also recorded its first win, outplaying Maffra.
Rohan Diamond’s 104 was the highlight of the Warriors’ 6-265, while Jay Diamond (unbeaten on 55) and Ashton Wright (34 not out) both ensure the total was challenging for the Saints. Mason Annear and captain Dylan Bolton both took two wickets for the visitors.
The Saints’ response began well with Lewis Bolton scoring 43 and Steve Noble 29, but a mid-innings slump put the Warriors in charge. Hunter Henry was the star with the ball for the Warriors, taking 5-44 from 11 overs.
MAFFRA moved into third place after defeating Yarram, which is yet to record a win in its premiership defence.
The Eagles posted 165, led by 37 from Ben Durrant, 36 from Josh Davis and 28 from Chris Lawrence. Durrant’s innings turned out to be important, as he came in with his side 6-91.
Pelicans captain Daniel O’Keefe claimed three of the first six Maffra wickets, with Freddie Fallows taking three of final four.
With one over to bat before stumps, Anthony Scott was bowled third ball by Matthew Hinks.
Things didn’t get any better when play resumed on Sunday, when Matthew Garland and Jack Collins were also dismissed without scoring, leaving the visitors 3-6.
Fallows was able to get the scoreboard ticking over until he was trapped in front of his stumps by a Durrant delivery, out for 60 from 54 balls.
O’Keefe was hard to dismiss, but when he was run-out for 25, the Pelicans were 7-121.
Hinks claimed the final three wickets to finish with figures of 4-29 and having Yarram all-out for 143.
STRATFORD, Sale and Bundalaguah had the bye.
