THE Collendina under-13s finished the home and away season in fourth position, booking them a semi-final against cross town rivals Ocean Grove Swans who finished on top.
The two-day game at the Bellarine Secondary College looked very even on paper with both line-ups being loaded with talent. Collendina won the toss and sent the Swans in to bat. The bowling was good with very few extras, but the Ocean Grove batsmen were up to the challenge. Two wickets were all that fell of the first 26 overs with the Swans making it to a score of 2/93 off their 26 overs. Tom Gross bowled well taking 1/10 off two overs getting one to sneak through the defence of Hayden Ewart. The only other wicket taker for the morning was Zak Poynder, who along with the fine out fielding of Max McLachlan, were able to combine to dismiss the dangerous Nathan Down. Poynder finished with 1/2 off two overs.
The score of 2/93 is very competitive, so a strong reply would be needed from the Cobras batsmen. Unfortunately, Izaak Terhorst was dismissed for a very rare diamond duck off the first ball. Not many people would fall victim to a diamond duck more than once in their careers. Hopefully, that is Izaak’s out of the way. Tom Gross was next in, but unfortunately he was also dismissed and with the Swans up and about, this was going to be tough. Xavier Norman was solid as the Cobras began to fight back and along with Sam Donegan, they got the score to 20. The Cobras finished the morning on a score of 4/59 with Charlie Every and Brodie Muscat not out overnight, 34 runs behind.
Day two started well with Every and Muscat getting the score to 80 before Every was dismissed for 18. Muscat went on to make a fine 19. The wickets then fell steadily to see the Cobras all out for 104. An 11-run lead wouldn’t be enough. Ocean Grove made the required runs in three overs and booked themselves a grand final spot along with Queenscliff which defeated Leopold in the other game.
The under-13s have had a fantastic season under Ross Norman and the Collendina Cricket Club looks forward to these boys progressing through the age groups.
