GUN Cobra batsman Corey Walter peeled off a majestic hundred as Collendina cruised to a nine-wicket victory over finals contender Barwon Heads on Saturday.
The Cobra coach remained unbeaten on 101 not out in his side’s total of 1-203 from 59 overs after Barwon Heads was bowled out for 192 on day one at Collendina.
It was Walter’s first century of 2016/17 and accompanied his batting knocks of 85 in Round 1 and 72 in Round 4 against Ocean Grove.
“Very good knock by Corey (Walter),” Barwon Heads captain Sam Schaller said.
“That is why he is one of the best (bats) and if not the best batsman in the competition.”
The Cobras (27 points) now sit second on the ladder ahead of nearest rivals and third-placed Ocean Grove (18 points) and Drysdale, who round out the top four (15 points).
Jan Juc (37 points) is the outright BPCA A Grade ladder leader after six rounds
Cobra all-rounder Andy Higgins (69 not out) backed up his fine knock of 95 in Round 5 against Portarlington and combined in an unbroken 136-run partnership with Walter.
“To win the game one wicket down I would never had expected that – I have full confidence in our batting side this season,” Walter said.
Walter admitted it was a key victory for Collendina prior to the Christmas break.
“There was a massive emphasis on the result – It was a really crucial game for us because now we sit second and we are now two games clear of fourth (placed Drysdale),” he said.
On day one, Cobra pair Joe Hinkley (3/58) and Dean Britt (3/48) took three wickets in the absence of ace bowlers Charlie Lamb and Jye Hearps.
Seagull Sam Schaller who finished with 1/27 from 17 overs was the pick of the bowlers.
Collendina will have a bye when A Grade games resume on 7 January in the new year.
The Cobras next face Anglesea in a two-day game at Anglesea starting on 14 January.
COLLENDINA won by 45 runs in their two-day B Grade clash against Barwon Heads at Barwon Heads.
Batting the visitors were all out for 231 from 69.2 overs
Cobra Alastair Grant (69) continued his fine start to 2016/17 and posted his third half-century.
In reply the Seagulls challenged Collendina but were eventually all out for 186 from 65.4 overs.
Collendina bowler Daniel Worn was the star with the ball after he claimed 5/62 from 26.4 overs, while team-mate Craig Goodger took 3/47 from 17 overs.
BARWON Heads won on first innings against Collendina in their two-day clash at the Bellarine Secondary College Ocean Grove campus.
The Seagulls rolled the Cobras for only 80 from 49.2 overs on day one.
In reply Barwon Heads made 5 declared for 151 from 30 overs.
In its second dig Collendina were 5/92 from 40 overs.
COBRA veteran Eddie Ellwood made 83 in D Grade as Collendina 1 defeated Queenscliff by three wickets in its one-day game.
Batting first the home side posted a competitive total of 6/204 from 40 overs.
In reply Collendina finished at 7/208 from its 40 overs.
IN other D Grade one-day games Portarlington won with more than 18 overs to spare against Collendina 2 at Point Lonsdale Recreation Reserve.
Batting first the Cobras made 8/179 from 40 overs.
In response Portarlington batsman Jamie Morgan was the star with the bat after his innings of 101 not out after the Demons finished 3/185 from 21.3 overs.
