Heat’s on Heathcote’s batting order

DISMISSED for 57 in its latest chase, Heathcote’s batting line-up is under pressure to lift in Saturday’s fourth round of the Castlemaine District Cricket Association’s A-reserve action.

Runner-up in B-grade last summer, Heathcote is on a one-two record since moving up a division.

The Saints are back home at Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve to take on Castlemaine United from 1pm this Saturday.

A great effort with the ball and in the field put Heathcote in a strong position when it dismissed Muckleford for 112 runs in last Saturday’s contest on the Saints’ ground.

Spinner Nick Malavisi captured three wickets for the Saints as captain Rhys Ashen, 2-13 off eight overs, and Elijah Hurley, 2-21, put the pressure on. The run out of Ashen who had hit top score of 19 runs sparked a dramatic batting collapse.

From 3-42 the Saints lost 7-15. The only other batter to reach double figures was Daniel Butler on 10 as Elijah Hurley was last out on eight.

Heathcote’s chase was ended in the 26th over as Nash Turner, 4-13 off 34 deliveries, and David Envall, 3-7 off six overs, did the damage for Muckleford.

A third defeat has put Heathcote in seventh place.

Castlemaine United marked its latest hit-out by scoring a 130-run win against Harcourt in the Lions’ den.

Batting at three, Declan Brasher hit 93 runs as Castlemaine United reached 7-204 in 40 overs.

Samantha Brasher opened the batting and scored 42 runs as Charlie Baker, Harper and Luke Kneebone led the attack.