Ocean Grove remains a slim chance to play Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association A1 Grade finals after knocking off reigning premier Anglesea in round 13 on Saturday February 18.
The Grubbers can make the finals if they beat Jan Juc in the final round and Anglesea defeats Armstrong Creek.
Even then, Ocean Grove would need to make up a hefty chunk of percentage to leapfrog the Titans and into fourth spot.
But the fact that they are still alive is testament to the character of the side.
Anglesea struggled to 130 all out on day one with Mick Thornton (3/19), Bailey Le Maistre (2/6) and Dylan Thorley (2/21) proving difficult to get away.
The run chase took some time, but was successful with Jake Taylor (37 from 180 balls) and Fletcher Long (32 off 127) playing patiently with an end-goal in mind – a seven-wicket win and sending Anglesea to its second consecutive defeat and tumbling from first to third on the ladder.
Ocean Grove staved off outright defeat in B1 Grade in style.
After making just 67 in its first innings, the Grubbers were a mammoth 2/204 in their second dig.
David Turner made 40 of Ocean Grove’s 67 in the first dig and then made a superb 132 from 190 deliveries in the second after Anglesea declared at 7/132 to take first-innings points in which Craig Byron took 3/9.
Turner hit 14 boundaries and two sixes in his century and youngster Noah Brooks showed great maturity to hold sway for 151 balls during his 32 in a terrific innings that denied Anglesea maximum points.
Ocean Grove’s B2 Grade finals hopes are all but over after losing to Inverleigh.
The Grubbers have a mathematical chance of making it, but would need to defeat top side Drysdale outright and hope Portarlington beats Collendina.
Centuries to Brendan Long (130) and Simon Craggs (109) enabled Winch to declare at 6/295. Spinner John Murphy toiled hard for Ocean Grove for 3/66 from 18 overs.
Ocean Grove made 149 with Greg Scarpa (49) getting runs, but finals now appear almost impossible.
Ocean Grove lost to the old enemy Barwon Heads in D Grade.
The Grubbers were all out for 94, a total that the Seagulls passed with one wicket down.
