Ocean Grove captain Fletcher Long said his side’s round 2 win against St Leonards was “a bit out of nowhere”, but reward for sticking to the process of playing consistent cricket.
The Grubbers chased down St Leonards’ score of 8/168 at Ray Menzies Oval with all eight teams in Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association’s A2 Grade sitting on one win and one loss.
“We didn’t look very likely for a lot of the day, but to come through to get the six points is great,” Long said.
“At stages we looked like we might have kept them to less, at stages they looked like they might have got more, but the ground’s rapid at the moment.
“It’s just got no grass on it so anything that goes through the field is four. When it’s a big ground like that, the gaps are pretty hard to stop anyway. We thought 170 was a decent score, but we were relatively happy with that.”
Troy Griffin (47) and Paul Hassan (42 not out) got runs for the Saints while Connor Weidemann took 3/25 and Campbell Snookes 2/21 applied the brakes for the Grubbers.
“Connor Wiedeman and Baljinda (Singh Brar – 1/28 from eight overs) were great up top, not only with the new ball, but when they came on with their second spells,” Long said.
“They (St Leonards) were not in a bad position. I think they were about four for 130, so to keep them to 170 in those last 10 overs and take a few wickets and slow it up, they were super.”
Dan Roddis then played against his natural game to make a patient and valuable 59 from 97 balls for Grove.
Hassan proved dangerous with 4/28 from eight overs, but Jacob Taylor (52 not out from 50 deliveries) and Corey Buxton (12 not out) took the score from 6/129 past the Saints’ total with four overs in hand. Baljinder also contributed with a handy 15 from 18 balls.
“We know how damaging he (Roddis) can be with the bat so in the one-day games, we’re trying to get him to be our enforcer just with how quick he scores at the top of the order,” Long said.
“But being four for 30 didn’t really help him play that kind of role. So to see him rein it in and play a really measured innings and get 60 and steer us to victory was great for him and for us.
“(And) to get a run a ball 50 when he (Taylor) come in at a really tricky time was great because usually JT’s more our solid rock in the middle so for him to come out and play a different role that he’s not usually used to doing and score that one a ball 50 was amazing.”
Ocean Grove will welcome back English all-rounder Zac Jones this week for his second season in the BPCA after missing the opening two games.
WILL Liddle starred for Surf Coast with a magnificent century to help his side beat Winchelsea.
Liddle made an unconquered 106 from 112 deliveries and hit 13 fours and two sixes with the Suns reaching 7/198 batting first.
Winch had contributions during its run chase, but needed more than a top score of 38.
In his second game as a Sun, Lachie Campbell came on and took 5/45 after making 25 to have Winch all out for 161. It was Campbell’s first A Grade five-for and it came after a terrific debut in round 1 where he made 30 and took 3/26.
“I’ve really enjoyed the start of the season with Surf Coast,” Campbell said.
“They’ve welcomed me and I’m just happy to be playing a role in the team. Will batted superbly and gave the bowlers a target to defend and to grab five-for was a bonus.
“I’m confident in this team’s ability to go deep into the year if we stick to the plan.”
COLLENDINA rebounded from a horror round 1 to beat Portarlington by four wickets.
Spinner Stan Grazotis set the tone early for the Cobras with 3/15 from eight overs with Port all out for 135.
Jesse Hunter (44) batted well for the Demons, but contributions from Jack Every (2/19), young quick Zac Muir (2/31) and Gus Peters (2/26) had Collendina on top at the break.
Collendina then benefited with runs from Harrisyn Wingrave (55) and veteran Richie Peters (25) to win in the 35th over.
NEWCOMB produced a huge upset to defeat Wallington in a stunning performance (see story page 24).
BPCA A2 GRADE, ROUND 2
Newcomb 2/129 (S. Kumara 65no, T. Hapugodage 31no) def Wallington 127 (M. Roxburgh 47, J. Scanlan 3/24, R. Mudiyanselage 3/27, D. Ryan 2/25, S. Anderton 2/28)
Collendina 6/136 (H. Wingrave 55, R. Peters 25) def Portarlington 135 (J. Hunter 44, S. Grazotis 3/15, J. Every 2/19, A. Peters 2/26, Z. Muir 2/31)
Surf Coast 7/191 (W. Liddle 106no, L. Campbell 25, R. Edwards 3/33) def Winchelsea 161 (B. Luppino 38, L. Campbell 5/45)
Ocean Grove 6/180 (D. Roddis 59, J. Taylor 52no, P. Hassan 4/28) def St Leonards 8/168 (T. Griffin 47, P. Hassan 42no, C. Weidemann 3/25, C. Snookes 2/21)
