By Mark Heenan
OCEAN GROVE CRICKET
Ocean Grove’s heart-breaking last over loss to Drysdale on 22 October was compounded with an injury to star recruit Sam Jubber at Ray Menzies Memorial Oval.
Jubber injured his quad while batting on day one and he took no further part in the game.
He was forced to hit out with a cameo innings of 23 with the bat a day earlier.
Jubber, a key all-rounder, is expected to be side-lined for a month with his bowling and will miss his side’s Round 3 clash against Portarlington this Saturday.
“Losing him (Sam) during his innings from a bowling point of view was significant – we were pretty disappointed,” coach Paul Jubber said.
“Losing Sam with injury didn’t allow him to bat freely and bat properly – it certainly put our backs against the wall.”
Jubber paid credit to Drysdale with their talented batting line-up chasing down the runs on day two.
The Hawks finished at 6/235 from 74.1 overs.
“Losing in the last over it was devastating especially when we achieved all that we wanted to do from the start of the game,” he said.
“Credit to Drysdale – they have played to their strength and batting is definitely their strength.”
Hawk opener Jason Malcolm top-scored with 65, while Shane Cutajar (40), Nick Hallam (43) and David Hambrook (50 not out) all made valuable contributions.
Paul Jubber had an outstanding game with bat and ball.
After his unbeaten 149 against Queenscliff in Round 1, Jubber top-scored with 70 on day one and then claimed 4/92 from his 27 overs on day two.
The Grubbers could not have started better batting first on day one with a fine half-century from opener Huon Bertino (65).
At one stage Ocean Grove looked in control at 1/103.
The Hawks fought back with the ball as the Grubbers lost their last five wickets for 62 runs.
Drysdale bowler Dylan Justice claimed 3/51 from 18 overs on day one.
Ocean Grove finished at 9/232 from its 75 overs, a defendable total according to Jubber.
“A score of 230 on that ground is very competitive,” he said,
Youngsters Noah Cunningham and Nathan Scarpa made their A Grade debuts for the Grubbers.
Ocean Grove B Grade suffered a 30-run loss in their one-day game against Drysdale at Drysdale Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
Batting first, the Hawks made 5/143 from 40 overs, Drysdale opening batsman Gavin Humphrey the standout with the bat after he made 73.
Grubber junior Matthew Stanic was his side’s most successful bowler with 3/20 from six overs, while team-mate Troy Wiseman took 2/22 from eight overs.
In reply, Ocean Grove were all out 113 from 33.3 overs.
Drysdale bowler Bailey Sykes dominated with the ball and finished 5/25 from eight overs.
Drysdale won its C Grade one-day clash by 68 runs against Ocean Grove at Memorial Reserve thanks to the efforts of Hawk gun all-rounder Brett Harding.
Batting first, Harding smashed an impressive 125 in Drysdale’s total of 7/225 from 40 overs.
Grubber Lachlan Murnane claimed 4/34 from five overs.
Harding backed up with the ball for Drysdale, he finished with 3/10 from eight overs and took two catches.
Ocean Grove compiled 7/157 from their 40 overs.
Harding claimed the prized scalp of Grubber Pat Kuipers after he top-scored for home side with 86.
Drysdale defeated Ocean Grove in their D Grade one-day game at St Thomas Catholic Primary School in Drysdale.
Batting first Ocean Grove made 3/119 from 40 overs.
Steve Duan top scored with 54, while teammate Dean Platt made an unbeaten 38.
In reply, Drysdale won with 10 overs to spare to finish at 7/130 from 30 overs.
Grubber youngster Tahj Wirth had a successful outing with the ball to claim 5/25 from eight overs.
