Heathcote faces one of league’s best

HEATHCOTE faces another huge challenge in tomorrow’s (Saturday, January 18) 12th round of A-reserve action in the Castlemaine District Cricket Association season.

The Saints will be on home turf at Barrack Reserve to take on North Castlemaine from 1.30pm.

When these clubs met in round two it was Heathcote which scored a three-wicket victory on North’s ground at Wesley Hill.

After being sent in, North Castlemaine was dismissed for 114 in 36 overs as spin bowler Nick Malavisi captured 3-26 off eight overs, and Tim Gleeson took 3-7 off five overs.

Other wicket-takers for the Saints were Ben Poulton, two; Rhys Ashen and Oscar Johnston.

The Saints were 2-15, but fought back through the play of Tim Gleeson, 31; Rhys Ashen, 25; Daniel Butler, 16; and unbeaten 17 by Brian Austin to reach 7-115 in the 38th over.

Heathcote marked consecutive wins against Maiden Gully Lions in last Saturday’s resumption from the Christmas-New Year break.

The Lions were dismissed for 94 in 34.3 overs as Tim Gleeson, 3-17 off eight overs; David Wilson, 2-14; and Nick Malavisi, 2-18, led the Saints attack.

A 62-run opening stand between Daniel Butler, 29, and Brad Rowe, put Heathcote in charge.

Rowe’s innings of 30 ended when the score was on 71.

The Saints fell from 1-62 to 7-87, but steadied through Cale Polson, 8 not out, and Ben Poulton, 4 not out, to hit the winning runs in the 26th over.

Ben Hancock and Robert Brown captured three and two wickets for Maiden Gully.