Morwell v Thorpdale
A lack of junior numbers led to Tyson Key and Hayden Kimpton of Hazelwood North linking up with Morwell’s team in Central Gippsland Cricket’s under 16s competition in round one, while Mirboo North’s Liam Swallow and Dean Huynh lined up for Thorpdale due to the same problem.
Thorpdale captain Heath Ferguson won the toss and sent the Tigers in, and it looked to be a good decision as Swallow struck regularly and finished with 5/25 in a superb display of swing bowling.
Kimpton was the only significant contributor to Morwell’s score, his unbeaten 60 rescuing the Tigers from a meagre total and, with help from overage mentor Dylan Day, pushed the score to 148.
Huynh, Ferguson and Justin Anderson took the only other wickets to fall for the Blues.
Thorpdale was never really in the hunt in reply, as Nathan Hammond battled in vain against Morwell’s disciplined attack.
His 44 out of a total score of 67 was remarkable in that Swallow’s six was next best.
For Morwell, Kimpton took 2/6 to follow up his batting heroics while Brandon Mayberry picked up 3/4.
Moe Maroons v Trafalgar
Trafalgar won the toss and bowled first, with Noah Kane’s 50* out of a total of 4/114 showing technical prowess and determination.
Ryan Sim (15) and Riley Atkinson (12) were the next best for the Maroons, while Grady Cocksedge took 3/15 for the Ships.
Zack Brown was nearly unplayable, the batsmen struggling to hit him off the square as he finished with 0/6 from his five overs.
In reply, Liam White batted through the innings and was there at the end of the game, his brilliant 41* more than enough to get his team across the line as Trafalgar closed at 6/131.
Brodie Burgess played a fine hand in support with 32, while Nicole Faltum and Blair Clymo also chipped in with 10 runs apiece.
Ryan Sim took 3/17 with his spinners, and Joel Mitchell and Liam Barry picked up the other two wickets to fall.
Latrobe v Newborough
Latrobe won on forfeit as Newborough was unable to field a side due to unavailabilities.
