Panthers sure up ladder position | BPCA, GCA cricket wrap

GCA2

BELL Post Hill delivered a 34-run win over Geelong City to remain in the top two of the Geelong Cricket Association division two first grade.

In the twenty20 encounter, Rhys Burke was huge in setting up the 5-124 total, hitting 63 runs off 49 balls. The Panthers backed it up with the ball, holding Geelong City to 9-90 from its 20 overs. Ben Muir was superb with 3-15 from his four overs while Tim Horan took 2-7 from three overs.

Captain Glen Talarico said he was pleased with the side’s twenty20 form, being one of three sides to be two from two in the format, and felt any time you can score better than six an over gave you a strong chance of defending the total.

“If you can get a run-a-ball you’ll win seven or eight out of 10 matches I reckon, that’s normally enough to get the job done,” Talarico said.

“We didn’t make too many mistakes (with the ball), we had pretty simple bowling plans and followed through with them.”

The victory sees the Panthers remain level on points with the third-placed Torquay, 10 points clear of Geelong City in fourth.

Bell Post Hill will face Bell Park this weekend, which is eager to break into the top four, currently a game out.

Talarico said it was a pleasing position to be in.

“We’ve got a little bit of breathing space, but it’s a pretty even competition I think.”

In other round nine matches, Marshall remained a game clear on top of the ladder after claiming a nine-run win over St Peters in a tightly-fought match. Bell Park enjoyed a great day with the bat, making 6-150 and then following it up with the ball to hold Alexander Thomson to 8-93, Shane Lymer taking 3-16 from four overs.

Torquay proved far too strong for Modewarre, taking an eight-wicket victory after restricting the Warriors to 9-90. Cameron Port and Tom Dunn took 3-21 and 3-16 respectively from their four overs as the Tigers chased the total down in the 15th over.

GCA1

SEAN O’Neill continued his stellar season with a second century for the Geelong Cricket Association division one firsts season as East Belmont defeated St Joseph’s.

O’Neill is averaging 56.9 and Saturday’s knock of 118 off 104 deliveries was one of the innings of the 2020-21 season. the centurion helped set-up East Belmont to post 6-285. It then bowled Joey’s out for 194 thanks to some great bowling efforts, none more so than Matthew Lineker’s 4-17.

Meanwhile, Harry Hauenstein helped himself to 80 to lead South Barwon to a two-wicket win. In pursuit of Grovedale’s 185, South Barwon’s top three batsman made ducks which left Hauenstein and Clinton Peake (62) to steer the ship. The Swans hit the winning runs in the 48th over.

North Geelong comfortably accounted for Highton. The Magpies chased down the Heat’s 104 with eight wickets to spare. Lara had similar ease in reeling in Newtown & Chilwell’s 129. Opener Vishesh Malhotra hit 60 runs to lead the way in a six-wicket victory.

Leopold bowled extremely well to defend its 105, dismissing Murgheboluc for 99 runs. Adam Bliss (3-15 off 10 overs) and Andrew Vine (2-21 off nine) in outstanding touch.

BPCA A1

IT took all 40 overs, but Queenscliff made it home by two wickets in a tight encounter against Jan Juc in the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association A1 competition.

The Sharks posted 8-159 from their 40 overs, courtesy of Jordi Withers (48 runs) and Andrew Murden (31). Lachie Kidd took 4-34 for the Coutas.

Queenscliff openers Lachy Slott (28) and Toby Smith (21) put on 46 to give the side a strong foundation. The match came down to the final over with Queenscliff ending its allotted over at 8-162, Frank Mileto top-scored with 31 while Patrick Mileto was influential down the order with an unbeaten 24.

The win sees the Coutas move a game clear in third position while Jan Juc remains in fourth spot, still with a one-game buffer on fifth-placed St Leonards.

In other BPCA A1 matches, Anglesea put bottom-side Barwon Heads to the swords in a ruthless display. Ned Cooper made 58 at the top of the order while Leigh Kentish also raised the bat with his 56. The Roos made 6-220, but it was the work with the ball that proved most telling. In a stunning performance, not one Seagulls batsman managed any more than six runs as the side was bowled out in the 15th over for 36.

Dale Kerr took 6-17 and Brett Venables claimed 3-15 while a run out made up the other dismissal.

St Leonards chased down Collendina’s 8-119 to register a four-wicket victory while the clash between Barrabool and Ocean Grove saw the sides split the points as rain set in during the afternoon.