Venables century has Anglesea in charge

Daniel Donaldson took 3 for 28 off 5.1 overs for Barwon Heads. 389440_27

Anglesea scored a hefty 7/272 at Ellimatta Reserve on Saturday February 17, leaving Ocean Grove with a huge total to chase in the penultimate round of BPCA A1 Grade.

Anglesea’s innings was led by club president and all-rounder Brett Venables, who brought up his second A Grade century with a superb 102 from 144 deliveries.

Venables normally scores at a run a ball or better, but tempered his innings somewhat.

“I hit them pretty well and gave myself some time for once instead of just getting 20s and throwing it away,” Venables said.

Anglesea had contributions right throughout the batting order with Steve Nicholson getting 39, Will Huby 37, Tyron Norman 36 and Ben Harcombe 23.

“Ty’s been ridiculously consistent each week, but the rest of us probably from three to six have been inconsistent,” Venables said.

“We’ve been lucky that someone has stepped up every game to do a job to get us over the line, but yesterday was probably the first time where three of them got into the late 30s, so it shows we’re capable of making those sorts of scores.”

Venables, who hit 10 boundaries, said the big total would allow his side’s bowlers to attack from the outset.

“It gives our bowlers something to bowl at more than what we normally do,” he said.

“Having 270 probably allows us to be quite attacking next week.”

Venables said Ocean Grove’s bowlers toiled hard.

“Micky Thornton is one of the premier cricketers in the comp in my opinion and he’s bowling fairly sharp at the moment and quite well,” he said.

“And young Bailey (Le Maistre) bowled really well and tightened it up after tea there for a while. They’re probably an underperformed side, but they’ve got some dangerous players.”

Thornton took 2/27 from 14 overs to continue his stellar season and Le Maistre took 1/67 from 16 while Dylan Thorley chipped in with two wickets.

A 61-RUN last-wicket stand has given Barrabool a shot at victory against Barwon Heads. The Bulls were 9/61 before Tully Searle made 57 off 63 balls and Brad Greenwood scored 25 not out off 48 to push the total up to 122. Seamer Darcy Hewitt (4/14 from 15 overs) and leg-spinner Dan Donaldson (3/28) took the wickets. In reply, the Seagulls still have some work to do at 3/48.

CLAY Mulgrew made his second consecutive century and his third of the season for Armstrong Creek against Jan Juc. The opener has a staggering 707 runs this season at an average of 88.38 and his unbeaten 116 came from just 114 deliveries. The Titans made 4/233 after getting Jan Juc all out for 75. Skipper Daniel Maclean took 5/24 while Chris Marsiglio made 71 with the Titans already securing first-innings points.

QUEENSCLIFF is on the verge of a win against Inverleigh. Tom Kidd took 3/18 to help bundle the Kookaburras out for 75. The resurgent Coutas are 4/68 in reply with Matthew Spiller taking all four wickets.