OCEAN Grove A Grade’s sporting declaration on day one backfired against bottom-placed Queenscliff who scored a landmark victory against the Grubbers on 17 December.
Queenscliff resumed at 1/49 on day two after the Grubbers made 8 declared for 261 from 58 overs at Ray Menzies Oval to claim its first win in 2016/17.
The visitors who finished at 5/268 from 87 overs won with two overs spare after facing 14 overs on 10 December.
Couta veteran Glen Potter stole the show on day two with a superb unbeaten 113, while team-mates Baxter Howard (55) and Tim Frankenburg (36) made vital contributions.
In only his second A Grade game this season, Potter was not out at stumps on day one.
Potter survived a controversial run out call when he notched up his fifty.
Grubber coach Paul Jubber defended his side’s decision not to bat out its 75 overs on day one and paid credit to the Coutas’ top order bats.
“We backed ourselves and it didn’t pay off,” Jubber said.
“Credit to Queenscliff they batted exceptionally well … and they deserved the win.
“Glen (Potter) and Baxter (Howard) built a solid foundation and played to their strengths.”
Opposition Queenscliff skipper Toby Smith was surprised with the Grubbers early declaration with overs to spare and wickets in hand.
“I thought (Ocean Grove) were too far out with their declaration,” Smith said.
“I knew their declaration was coming the way they were batting – they were going hard at it.”
On day one Ocean Grove gun batsman Michael Kenneady (108) smashed a hundred, while Huon Bertino (58) made his first half-century in the Grubbers’ A Grade.
Grubber Dylan Thorley (2/19) was his side’s most successful wicket-taker with two scalps.
THIRD-placed Ocean Grove face fourth-placed Drysdale in an at home when BPCA A Grade one-day games resume on Saturday 7 January.
IN B Grade Jan Juc won comfortably against Ocean Grove in their two-day clash at Jan Juc Park.
Batting first Ocean Grove was bowled out for 193 in 70.3 overs.
Young Grubber Fletcher Long top scored after making 33 with the bat on day one.
In reply, the Sharks made 8 declared for 312 from 73 overs.
Jan Juc opener Iva Priest was the standout with his 79 on day two.
Grubber bowlers Rhys Sheather (2/36) and Lucas Baulch (2/35) each took two wickets apiece.
Ocean Grove B Grade sit in fifth position after six rounds.
OCEAN Grove C Grade posted a 71-run win over Wallington in their two-day clash at home.
Batting first the Grubbers were all out for 178 from 55.1 overs
Veteran Greg Scarpa top scored with 71 on day one, while Wallaby pair Brendan Hicks (3/25) and James Hicks (3/42) each took three wickets apiece.
In reply Grubbers ripped through the Wallington batting line-up for 107 from 35.2 overs.
Ocean Grove youngster Flynn Hardiman (5/28) snared a five-wicket haul from his 10 overs while team-mate Billy Foord Engelsman grabbed three scalps after bowling 11.2 overs.
THE Grubbers won their D Grade one-day clash by 15 runs against St Leonards 1 at Len Trewin Reserve on Saturday.
Batting first Ocean Grove made 2/103 from 24 overs, in reply St Leonards 1 compiled 9/88 from 40 overs.
Grubber Jeff Erskine was the standout bowler.
Erskine finished with the incredible figures of 4/1 from eight overs and bowled seven maidens.
