CRICKET
LVDCL
By GREGOR MACTAGGART
JEERALANG-Boolarra’s bright start to the season continued with a thrilling one-wicket win against CATS at John Black Oval yesterday.
The Panthers were on the back foot when No.11 Rhy McNaughton strolled to the crease to join Hasitha Hewawasam.
At that stage, Jeeralang-Boolarra needed 18 runs to win and CATS had all the momentum.
But McNaughton, who earlier took 5/28 in his best performance since joining the Panthers, was resolute.
He proved an able ally for Hewawasam, another new recruit at Jeeralang-Boolarra after crossing from Traralgon West.
The duo held their nerve and guided the Panthers to victory with just two balls remaining for a famous victory.
Hewawasam remained unbeaten on 19, with McNaughton two not out.
Earlier, McNaughton had played a pivotal role in restricting CATS to 151.
The home side were cruising at 1/112 with former Zimbabwe Test player Tinashe Panyangara (59) and Jamie Cochrane (50) registering impressive half-centuries.
But momentum swung in Jeeralang-Boolarra’s favour when McNaughton claimed both Panyangara and Cochrane.
Cochrane’s dismissal sparked a stunning collapse of 8/19 as McNaughton and Hewawasam (3/11) tore through the CATS batting line-up.
Jeeralang-Boolarra’s chase got off to a poor start with openers Ben Duffy (1) and Ben McCormack (9) gone as the scoreboard read 16.
Captain Ben Heath steadied the ship with an assured 36 as Nilantha Thillekarathna (16) and Craig Blackberry (15) played useful cameos.
When Heath fell to the pace of Callum Stewart to make it 5-86, Stan Urbanic picked up the slack.
Urbanic put on 23 with Ossy Brennan (13) and added another 21 alongside Hewawasam before he fell to Rory Hare on 28.
Back-to-back run outs left Jeeralang-Boolarra further in the hole before the heroics of the final pair.
Stewart (3/22) was the pick of the CATS attack, although Panyangara (1/15) proved difficult to score from.
ANDREW Philip’s brilliant unbeaten 122 inspired Moe to a dominant win against Morwell at Keegan Street.
The Lions were in strife at 4/45 when Philip was joined by Lions skipper Pat Spiteri.
The pair wrested the momentum from the Tigers with a 113-run fifth wicket stand.
Spiteri produced a classic captain’s knock until he fell just four runs short of what would have been a deserved half-century.
Philip displayed supreme form, hitting 11 fours and a towering six, as Moe finished 5/194.
Brendan Brincat (3/37) did the early damage for Morwell.
The Tigers never seriously looked a chance in reply and were bowled out for 123 in the 43rd over.
Blair Clymo top-scored with 27, while Robert Semmler (22) and Mark Cukier (21) got starts for Morwell.
Ash Savige proved the most successful of the Moe bowlers, taking 3/21, while Clinton Taylor and Joel Mitchell each collected two.
Robert Blunt’s spell also warranted a mention, with the quick returning the analysis of 1/9 from his eight overs.
THE good times continue to roll for Trafalgar, who defeated Raiders by seven wickets at Yinnar.
Raiders were sent into bat by Ships skipper Rhys Holdsworth and fired out in the 46th over for 117.
Opener Chris Stanlake top-scored with 35, while Mick Higgins (30) and Madura Perera (24) also spent good time at the crease.
Daniel Heathcote’s inspired spell of 4/18 included the wickets of Liam Maynard and Perera, while Jackson Noonan finished with 3/18.
Trafalgar had few issues chasing down the moderate target, getting the runs in 33.4 overs.
Aydan Connolly continues to impress, scoring an unbeaten 39 and Brodie Burgess finished 29 not out.
CENTRALS stunned Churchill at George Cain Oval.
Sent into the bat, the Lions posted a solid total of 8/146 from its allotted 50 overs.
Tye Hourigan proved the cornerstone of the Centrals innings, scoring an unbeaten 56 from 87 deliveries.
Opener Wayne Henry (22) also impressed, while Corey Pollard (16), Mark Rawson (13) and Andrew Slimmon (12 from 82 deliveries) also contributed to the cause.
The irrepressible Steve Warr took 3/40 from his 10 overs.
Churchill’s reply never really got going and they were bowled out inside 41 overs for 104.
Brendan Mason top-scored with 24, opener Ryan Wilk hit 19 and Ryan Harvey made 15.
South African Reghard Hefer produced his best spell since joining the Lions, taking 3/19 from his 8.4 overs.
Lachlan Patterson also impressed with 3/27 including the key wicket of Mason.
MIRBOO North dished out a 107-run hiding to Traralgon West at Jack Canavan Oval.
The Tigers set the tone with the willow after being sent in by the Eagles, posted a formidable total of 9-208 from its 50 overs.
Jesse Giardina starred, scoring a sublime 69 from 70 deliveries, following on from the earlier good work of new recruit Zach Hollis and Hudson Kerr.
Hollis, who joined the Tigers from Gold Coast outfit Runaway Bay, opened the batting and scored an eye-catching 41, featuring four fours and one six.
Kerr scored a determined 29, spending 111 minutes at the crease, with Hayden Barnes (21) and Joel Piasente (15) scoring some useful late runs.
Ben Edebohls took 3/33 in his first top-flight appearance of the season, while Adam Thow (2/33) and Tim Fitch (2/46) claimed multiple wickets.
Traralgon West offered little resistance in the chase, skittled for 101.
Only Brenton Howe (24) and Rob Wilkie (20) got going among the recognised batsmen, while Salman Rasool’s unbeaten 12 lifted the Eagles to triple figures.
Kerr completed a good match to take 3/30 with Luke Corry (2/15) bowling well.
ROUND 6
CHURCHILL and Traralgon West will be aiming for a return to the winners list when they meet at George Cain Oval.
Morwell and Trafalgar face off at Morwell Recreation Reserve.
Raiders will host Jeeralang-Boolarra at Yinnar.
Centrals make the trek to John Black Oval to face a CATS side on the rebound.
Moe and Latrobe will square-off at Ted Summerton Reserve.
Mirboo North has the bye.
