High stakes in cricket clash at Camp Reserve

STAKES are high as Heathcote faces Castlemaine United in this Saturday’s A-reserve match in the Castlemaine District Cricket Association season.

Locked on 90 points after 17 rounds, Heathcote and Castlemaine United will clash in the final round of the home-and-away series at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.

Play of 40-over innings per team hits off at 1pm.

The winner will play in the finals as the defeated bow out.

As Heathcote had the bye last Saturday, Castlemaine United was outpointed by the ladder-leading North Castlemaine at Camp Reserve.

Led by an unbeaten 62 by Jamie Allan and top innings of 58 by Gavin James, and 36 each by Nathan Anderson and Karsen Beer, North Castlemaine scored 6-252 off 40 overs.

Oliver Grainger, Camblar Kays and Lewis Short all took two wickets for United.

Castlemaine United reached 2-78 in 28 overs.

Opening batter Adam Smolak was on 27 not out as Josh Maher scored 17 opening the batting.

Nicholas Ryan took both wickets.

It was in round four when Heathcote took on Castlemaine United on the Saints’ turf at Barrack Reserve.

After deciding to bat, Heathcote scored 9-103 as Tim Gleeson and vice-captain Nick Malavisi hit top scores of 18 and 16.

Declan Brasher took 4-8 off eight overs.

Opening batter Adam Smolak played a crucial role in the chase as he scored 38 runs after Castlemaine United slumped to 3-8.

Smolak and captain Brian Brahser, 16, teamed for a 36-run stand and it was Smolak and Harper Kneebone, 22, who combined in a 58-run stand to pass the century mark.

A four-wicket win for Castlemaine United was achieved in the 34th over.

Best of the Saints attack were Tim Gleeson, 2-20 off eight overs, and Ben Poulton, 2-1 off nine deliveries.

Opening batter Brad Rowe hit 61 runs in the Saints four-wicket win against Campbells Creek Colts on February 15 at Campbells Creek.

Liam Hubble, 31 runs; Tim Gleeson, 23; and captain Rhys Ashen, 20, were also in form.

Standings in the Castlemaine District Cricket Association’s A-reserve competition:

North Castlemaine 156 points, 2.018 quotient

Taradale 138, 2.206

Muckleford 102, 1.167

Heathcote 90, 1.080

Castlemaine United 90, 1.054

Campbells Creek Colts 90, 0.742

Newstead 78, 0.911

Harcourt 54, 0.442

Maiden Gully Lions 18, 0.585

Draw for Saturday’s final one-day matches in the 18-round home-and-away series starting at 1pm:

Muckleford v Taradale at Mapson Timmins Oval.

Castlemaine United v Heathcote at Camp Reserve.

Harcourt v Campbells Creek Colts at Harcourt Recreation Reserve.

Maiden Gully Lions v Newstead at Bake Mate Oval, Marist College.

North Castlemaine has the bye.