Star Anglesea left-hander Ned Cooper put an end to Inverleigh’s finals hopes with a superb 153 not out in round 12 of Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association A1 Grade on Saturday.
Cooper took his season’s run tally to 652 at an average of 108.67 with his knock that lasted the entire innings and only 135 deliveries.
Opening partner Tyron Norman was out on the final ball of the innings trying for a six that would have brought up his century.
The keeper made 94 from 109 balls and shared in a 256-run stand with his skipper.
The pair has averaged 81 for the first wicket this season.
Inverleigh was never in the hunt, falling for 131 although David Peel played splendidly for 71 from 79 balls.
Pacemen Dake Kerr and Darcy Elliott both snared three wickets for the unbeaten Seas.
The Kookaburras finals hopes lay in tatters. They are two games and a hefty slice of percentage behind Ocean Grove with two games remaining.
Ocean Grove will play finals after beating cross-town rivals Collendina.
Collendina batted first and was 7-49, but youngster Noah Jeffrey and Aidann Foard (17 off 54) dug in to add 39.
At 9-94, Jeffrey (21 from 85) and Craig Goodger got their side into triple figures, being all out for 115.
The wickets were shared around with Lindon Giuffrida the most successful, snaring 3-17 from eight overs.
The Grubbers had no problem passing the total, losing only Jake Taylor for 20.
Shaun Fankhauser continued his good season with an unbeaten 82 from 97 balls.
Queenscliff stayed in the running for second spot and a home final with a hard-fought win against Barrabool.
The Coutas were well served by Lachie Kidd (45 from 55), Tim Frankenburg (40) and Oliver Skurrie (34 off 26) for their total of 8-185.
Dean Jones made 48 from 45 balls for Barrabool during the run chase, but even 11 from the final over still saw the side seven runs short.
Jan Juc didn’t have things all its own way against St Leonards, but did enough to pretty much guarantee a home semi.
Jordi Withers made a delightful 91 from 101 deliveries in the absence of Ben Grinter as the Sharks compiled 188.
The Saints’ again took their time introducing Cam Egan into the attack and it paid off with the young left-armer taking his season’s wicket total to 26 with 4-34.
At 3-9, the Saints recovered to be all out for 156 with Egan putting his final stamp on the game with 36 from 28, but it was the pace and skill of Nicky Smith that proved the difference with a brilliant 5-22.
