by DES EVERY
UNDER 17s
THE Under 17 combined Ocean Grove/Colledina team make the journey to Leopold to take on Leopold Peel in this must win two day clash.
They are level on points with Leopold making a win here even more important. Leopold won the toss and elected to bat and they got off to a fine start.
The first wicket didn’t fall until the score was on 105 and Leopold were heading for a mammoth total. Quick wickets were needed and a reduction in the Peel run rate a must.
The combines spinners and part timers didn’t disappoint. The wicket were shared and the wickets began to fall at regular intervals.
Cody Richardson, Fletcher Long and Sam Walsh all took one wicket apiece.
Craig Goodger was economical with 2/9 off 6 overs and Sam Harper cleaned up the tail also with the figures of 2/9.
Riley Kohler was the chief wicket taker with an innings defining 3/20 off 6 overs. The run rate had been reigned in and the score kept to a more manageable 10/187 off 49.3 overs.
The combine team ended day one on 0/6 with Logan Taylor and Sam Walsh, who are both in good form, eager to lead the run chase on day two.
Sam Walsh and Logan Taylor opened the run chase for the combine.
These two are in red hot form and today this form would be needed to get these runs. They didn’t disappoint.
Taylor made another ton, it’s just what he does, and Walsh was again reliable with a well made 65.
Ronan Healy chipped in with 11 and Fletcher Long made 18. The total was reached with ease. 2/205 was the final score.
The combine team now sit in third with one game to go but a loss next game could see the footy boots come out early.
UNDER 13s
THE under 13s head into this round ten two day clash sitting third on percentage alongside Leopold.
They take on fifth placed Ocean Grove Grubbers at the Shell Road Recreation Reserve. A gap of twelve points has formed between the top and bottom four which is helpful but wins are still a must to cement a finals berth.
The Grubbers won the toss and elected to bat. They got the score to 51 in very quick time before the Cobras were able to get a breakthrough.
In fact they got two important wickets with the score on 51 which really slowed the run rate and the Cobras were able to contain them to 3/83 off their 26 overs.
Along with two run outs, the only bowler to take a wicket was Zak Poynder with 1/1 off one over.
The Cobras reply with the bat got off to a shakey start with both openers going for ducks and the score on seven.
Zak Poynder and Nick Gibbon steadied the ship with a solid 38 run partnership until Gibbon was dismissed for a fine 14.
Poynder and the reliable Sam Donegan then took the score to a competitive 4/82 when Donegan was dismissed for a well made 12.
At the end of Collendina’s 26 overs Poynder is 24 not out and the score is on 4/88.
Day two is shaping up to be a cliffhanger.
The Cobras again lost early wickets on day two with Diesel McNeil and Xavier Norman going cheaply. Baxter Stephensen and Charlie Every steadied the ship.
Stephensen had to be retired for a well made 14 and Every also had to be retired for a solid 19. The score was ticking over nicely, enter Brodie Muscat.
Brodie is in red hot form as the Cobras head towards the business end of the season.
He finished the day with a very aggressive 26 including one massive 6 over the square leg boundary. The Cobras finished with avery competitive 6/196.
The bowling would have to be good. The Cobras didn’t disappoint. Brodie Muscat backed up his efforts with the bat tacking one wicket along with Nick Gibbon.
Max McLachlan was the standout with the ball taking 3/1 of two overs on day two.
The Cobras contained the Grubbers to 8/146. A very good win as March approaches.
