CRICKET
COUNTRY WEEK
TRARALGON upset perennial provincial division powerhouse Geelong by a single run in Monday’s Melbourne Country Week opener to post its first top flight victory in years.
Opener Greg Munro (101) compiled a century to lead the Tornados to 7/225 from their allotted 50 overs batting first.
Munro piled on 53 with Al Jenkin (27) for the first wicket and ticked the score along to 111 before Jordan Gilmore was bowled by Jayden Hicks for 14.
Brad Knowles and Ben Julin came and went without impact, before Matt Cowling joined the party with a crucial half-century.
His 54 runs in partnership with Munro helped Traralgon to 213 when both were removed, followed by Mark Rawson, without advancing the total.
Liam Maynard’s late order 11 pushed the score to 225, which proved to be just enough in a tense run chase by Geelong.
Sam Hall emulated Munro at the top of Geelong’s batting card with 110, but when he was stumped off the bowling of Ross Whelpdale (4/46) to leave matters poised at 4/188 the innings began to derail.
Geelong lost 5/27 in a desperate climax to fall one run shy of the target with one wicket in hand.
Traralgon is due to play Bairnsdale in its fourth round match today, a rematch of the Gippsland Cricket League grand final.
Central Gippsland was less impressive in its division three first round against Warragul, losing by 157 runs.
Gamini Kumara’s 125 at first drop elevated Warragul to 9/287, while Central Gippsland could only manage 130 driven by a James Blaser half-century.
Central Gippsland faces Colac in its fourth round match today.
UPDATE: Traralgon lost to Bendigo on Tuesday and defeated South West yesterday.
Central Gippsland beat both West Gippsland and Benalla in its round two and three games respectively.
