Premiership picture tightens as GCA clubs take on semi-final bouts

THE Geelong Cricket Association (GCA) Division 1 semi-finals take place this weekend with four worthy contenders vying for the 2023-24 premiership.

Heavy favourites North Geelong will once again go into the finals as the team to beat, chasing its fifth consecutive Division 1 premiership but needing to overcome the surging Newtown & Chilwell side which snuck into the finals picture on quotient.

Last season’s runner-up and this season’s second seed East Belmont is eager to get back to the Grand Final for potentially another shot at North Geelong, but their opponent Grovedale is also excited to return to the finals mix.

North Geelong and East Belmont will host the GCA1 semi-finals.

North Geelong top bowlers/batsmen:

Ned Cooper, 491 runs (49.1 average) – 4th in GCA1
Dale Kerr, 24 wickets (13.17 average) – 3rd in GCA1
Thomas Webster, 21 wickets (13.71 average) – 6th in GCA1

Newtown & Chilwell top bowlers/batsmen:
Ronnie McKenna, 507 runs (49.1 average) – 3rd in GCA1
Patrick McKenna, 468 runs (42.55) – 5th in GCA1
Nick Burke, 17 wickets (25.94 average) – 12th in GCA1

East Belmont top bowlers/batsmen:
Joshua Lacey, 540 runs (54.0 average) – 2nd in GCA1
James McMahon, 22 wickets (13.95 average) – 5th in GCA1
Jack Jenkins, 21 wickets (19.33 average) – 7th in GCA1

Grovedale top bowlers/batsmen:
Michael McNeel, 377 runs (37.7 average) – 8th in GCA1
Clinton Ford, 24 wickets (18.04 average) – 4th in GCA1
Jack Wrigglesworth, 19 wickets (23.74 average) – 9th in GCA1

A new premier will be crowned in Division 2, with defending champions Murgheboluc falling just short of a finals berth.

Last year’s runners-up Torquay, Leopold, Bell Post Hill, and 2021/22 premiers St Peters are locked and loaded to remain the last team standing in GCA 2.

St Peters secured the minor premiership last weekend and will meet Bell Post Hill in two-day play at Herne Hill Reserve’s Walker Oval in their quest to return back to the Grand Final stage.

Torquay will have the luxury of home pitch advantage, hosting Leopold at Spring Creek Reserve in the second semi-final as the Tigers look to go one step further.

St Peters top bowlers/batsmen:
Luke Ford, 361 runs (45.13 average) – 9th in GCA2
Matthew Sorgiovanni, 358 runs (35.8 average) – 10th in GCA2
Liam Couch, 19 wickets (14.37 average) – 9th in GCA2

Bell Post Hill top bowlers/batsmen:
Ryan Mills, 382 runs (34.73 average) – 5th in GCA2
Kellan Oehley, 370 runs (30.83 average) – 7th in GCA2
Mayuka Perera, 25 wickets (16.96 average) – 3rd in GCA2

Torquay top bowlers/batsmen:
Tom Dunn, 468 runs (46.8 average) – 1st in GCA2
Ash Russell, 23 wickets (12.87 average) – 7th in GCA2
Gurpreet Singh, 18 wickets (18.72 average) – 11th in GCA2

Leopold top bowlers/batsmen:
Corey Ogle, 446 runs (55.75 average) – 2nd in GCA2
Tom Treble, 424 runs (47.11 average) – 3rd in GCA2
Declan Gibson, 28 wickets (13.75 average) – 1st in GCA2

Other semi-finals include Thomson v Corio at Thomson Recreation Reserve, Bell Park v Alexander Thomson at Hamlyn Park in GCA3, and Waurn Ponds Deakin v Little River at Jarvis Oval, Lethbridge v Guild St Mary’s at Lethbridge Recreation Reserve in GCA 4.

All GCA First XI semi-finals will begin play today (Saturday, March 16) at 11.30am.