A new look Jan Juc upstaged reigning BPCA A1 premiers Ocean Grove in the season opener at Shell Road on Saturday 5 October.
A blistering century from incoming Sharks’ captain and opener Andrew Murden on debut helped Jan Juc lay the foundations for a strong first innings total after the visitors elected to bat first.
Murden, who had played with Murgheboluc, which is now in the Geelong Cricket Association Division 1 competition, hit 14 boundaries in his innings of 104 as Jan Juc posted 7/189 from 40 overs.
“Murdo (Andrew Murden) batted aggressively and chanced his arm,” Ocean Grove Cricket Club captain-coach Paul Jubber said.
“He played a terrific one-day innings.”
Gun Jan Juc batsman Ben Grinter was the second top scorer with 26 and shared in a 68-run second wicket partnership with Murden.
“Juc came to play,” Jubber said.
“Their first 10 overs with the bat set them up for a strong performance.”
Grubber pair Dan Roddis (2/30) and Dylan Thorley (2/13) both took two wickets.
Jubber said it was a disappointing way to commence the new season with its 25-run loss at Shell Road.
Eight Grubber cricketers who were members of last season’s drought-breaking A1 premiership victory played against Jan Juc on Saturday.
“We are really disappointed with starting the season this way, especially playing at home,” he said.
In reply, Ocean Grove fell 26 runs short of the victory target to finish at 5/164 from 40 overs.
Jan Juc Cricket Club coach Jordan Graham and star bowler Nick Smith put the Grubbers on the back foot early at 2/12.
Both Graham and Smith dried up the home side’s scoring rate and dismissed Ocean Grove top order pair Shaun Fankhauser (1) and Fletcher Long (10).
Smith, who bowled four maidens, finished with 1/7 from seven overs, Graham took 1/27 from eight overs, while Iva Priest grabbed late wickets and had figures of 3/30 from eight overs.
Accomplished Grubber batsman Anton Scholtz who guided Ocean Grove to victory in last season’s BPCA A1 grand final, top scored with an impressive 70 not out from 87 balls.
“Anton is a class player,” Jubber said.
“He feels he has a much better understanding of his game with a season of BPCA cricket under his belt.”
Huon Bertino made a patient 34 from 80 balls, while all-rounder Matt Caulfield remained 27 not out.
B1
JAN Juc B1 defeated Ocean Grove by 33 runs in a high scoring one-day clash at Jan Juc Park on Saturday.
Batting first the home side posted an imposing 8/280 from 40 overs.
In reply Ocean Grove finished at 6/247. Craig Byron top scored with an aggressive 82.
Ocean Grove’s second XI which played in the BPCA A2 competition last season, will play in B1 in 2019/20 after Armstrong Creek Cricket Club’s top grade was promoted to A2.
C1
OCEAN Grove claimed a seven-wicket win in their one-day game against Jan Juc.
Batting first Jan Juc was restricted to 9/115 from 40 overs.
Tom Kent was the star bowler with 4/6 from eight overs.
In reply Ocean Grove won with four overs to spare.
Veteran Craig D’Arcy remained 41 not out in Ocean Grove’s total of 3/117.
D’Arcy shared in a 78-run opening partnership stand with Troy Wiseman (33).
