Lara soar into third after busy GCA weekend

A BUSY second day of GCA1’s Round 12 has seen a major shake up in the finals race with two matches to play in the season.

Lara have soared into third spot following a dominant victory over Newtown & Chilwell.

The Cats skittled the Two Blues for just 178 and 108 as they attempted to secure an outright victory, with the valuable points earnt pushing them well into the finals race.

North Geelong continued their strong campaign with a 76-run win over Grovedale, after posting a first innings score of 305.

The Magpies then had four multiple-wicket takers as they restricted the Tigers’ middle order to claim their eighth win and hold their three-game gap to second-placed East Belmont.

Grovedale still hang onto fourth despite the loss, by just 0.28 ladder points.

A consistent effort in both innings has seen St Peters overcome South Barwon in cruisy fashion.

Captain Luke Ford dominated, with an unbeaten 129 backed up with four wickets.

The Swans have fallen to outright seventh on the ladder, and now need everything to go right to remain in the finals hunt.

St Joseph’s successfully defended their impressive total of 280 to hand East Belmont their fourth loss of the season.

A four-wicket haul from Ryan Simmonds led the bowling attack that rolled the Lions for 192.

Following the victory, Joeys have moved to sixth spot.

This weekend will bring another round of crucial clashes, with Lara to host North Geelong, South Barwon to host Newtown & Chilwell, East Belmont to host Grovedale and St Joseph’s to host St Peters.

In the GCA2, Alexander Thomson will play Highton, Geelong City will play Bell Park, Bell Post Hill will play Torquay and Leopold will play Geelong West.