Justin Flynn takes a look at the Bellarine Peninsula A1 Grade competition at the halfway mark of the season.
ANGLESEA
Unbeaten and seemingly unstoppable. Only a major mishap stands in the way of another Seas’ premiership.
Stacked with batting and bowling talent and players who know how to stand up on the big stage.
The Seas have three players in the top 10 runmakers this season and the ominous sign is that Dale Kerr has only taken four wickets.
Current position: 1st
Leading run scorer: Ned Cooper – 227
Leading wicket taker: Joe Lynch – 8
QUEENSCLIFF
The Coutas have given themselves every chance with a solid start.
They are a good all-round side that seems to be on the same page. With few outright stars, the squad is consistently turning up to games in the right headspace and with some luck, could challenge Anglesea in the finals.
Current position: 2nd
Leading run scorer: Tim Frankenburg – 177
Leading wicket taker: Lachie Kidd – 8
OCEAN GROVE
The Grubbers are another side without many outright guns, but are a good solid team where everyone knows their role.
Shaun Fankhauser has been consistent at the top of the order and if Paddy McKenna can get going in the second half of the season, expect Ocean Grove to make the top four.
Current position: 3rd
Leading run scorer: Shaun Fankhauser – 214
Leading wicket taker: Lindon Giuffrida and Jackson Kent – 8
JAN JUC
The Sharks remain the smokey to upset Anglesea in the finals, although they were bossed around by the flag favourites just before the break and that was without Dale Kerr bowling.
Ben Grinter needs support from Jordi Withers and Brad Robert with the bat.
Expect the Sharks to make the four and from there, anything is possible.
Current position: 4th
Leading run scorer: Ben Grinter – 305
Leading wicket taker: Andrew Kent – 9
INVERLEIGH
Inverleigh has shown that it belongs in the top flight with some early wins that should see it avoid relegation.
In fact, the Kookaburras would be confident of playing finals after being promoted from A2 Grade this season.
Nick Platt is in superb form with the ball and if Lachie Platt can increase his output with the bat, the Kookas may well surprise by playing finals.
Current position: 5th
Leading run scorer: Jasper George – 183
Leading wicket taker: Nick Platt – 12
COLLENDINA
The Cobras have had some awful batting woes, making triple figures just once. It shows as the side’s highest run scorer is Justin Miller with just 77.
However, the Snakes are a good bowling unit and they field well.
If they can win another two games, they should avoid relegation, but the questions will remain until the side puts together a decent total.
The Snakes will continue to get games into Jack Every and Noah Jeffrey to help fast track their development.
Current position: 6th
Leading run scorer: Justin Miller – 77
Leading wicket taker: Charlie Lamb – 8
ST LEONARDS
With finals looking unlikely, it’s all about survival for the Saints.
Cam Egan, Chris Hockey and Daniel Harrison have led a very capable attack this season, but too often they have been let down by the batters.
Hopefully for the Saints, Andrew Spengler is back for the rest of the season and if he can score plenty of runs they will have every chance of staying up.
Current position: 7th
Leading run scorer: Andrew Spengler – 120
Leading wicket taker: Cam Egan – 8
BARRABOOL
It seems inconceivable that the Bulls are winless and anchored to the bottom of the table.
They were one of the favourites to challenge Anglesea, but some lacklustre performances means they will be battling just to make the four.
Barrabool’s form started to turn around just before the break, but they squandered a perfect chance for their first win, by choking late in the game against Ocean Grove.
Surely they won’t finish bottom and should avoid relegation, but a finals spot looks a bit too far gone now.
Current position: 8th
Leading run scorer: Kane Pickering – 171
Leading wicket taker: James Jirik – 12
