Collendina A1 avoided relegation with a hard fought 45-run victory over Portarlington in their two-day clash at home on Saturday.
Chasing 253 for victory after Collendina made a competitive total of 9/252 on day one on 16 February, the Demons were all out for 207 from 69.3 overs in reply.
It was a much-needed win for the Cobras, they maintained seventh spot with 24 points, while bottom-placed Drysdale remains on 12 points after their five-wicket loss to A1 finals contenders Jan Juc.
“We are two games clear and we are happy with that,” said Collendina captain Nathan Walter.
Walter who scored his maiden A Grade century on day one with a brilliant 111, said for the Cobras to make 250 plus was an excellent outcome.
Veteran Cobra Richie Peters gave Nathan Walter high praise for his efforts in the field after he saved valuable runs.
The Cobras were staring down the barrel of a low first day total, at one stage they were 7/110.
“We had our backs up against the wall massively,” Walter told the Voice.
“We just needed a couple of blokes to bat time.”
Evergreen Cobra bowlers Charlie Lamb and Jye Hearps amazingly put on a 69-run partnership for the ninth-wicket.
Lamb remained unbeaten on 56, while Hearps contributed a valuable 34.
Walter said it was also nice to score his first A1 century and play an important role in the win.
“It was good to crack the ton and it was just to get the win,” he said.
“It was hard fought for sure.”
Lamb (4/76) and Hearps (4/66) were damaging with the ball, the ace Cobra bowlers each both four wickets.
Lamb and Hearps have combined for 14 wickets from their last two matches after the pair each took three wickets against Ocean Grove on 9 February.
“They obviously bowled awesome,” Walter described.
Lamb took the prized wicket of key Portarlington all-rounder Paul McGrath for 22.
Walter praised Cobra youngster Craig Goodger for his economical bowling efforts after he finished with 1/35 from 15 overs.
“Craig Goodger got the first wicket in the second over of the day and then bowled 14 more overs after that – so he bowled 15 overs,” he said.
“He ended up going for 30 odd runs – he set up the day for us.”
Portarlington captain Andrew Wedge led the way with the bat with a fine 82.
Wedge shared in third-wicket 73-run partnership with Ashley Gillett (34).
At 3/142 the Demons had plenty of wickets left in the shed, but needed to accelerate the run rate to push for victory.
The visitors lost their last 6 wickets for 37 runs and the game was done.
On day one Blake Dobbin was the leading Portarlington bowler with 4/72 from 20 overs.
THE Cobras face Barwon Heads in their final A1 home and away clash for the season at Collendina.
COLLENDINA B1 defeated Queenscliff by 50 runs in their two-day clash at Bellarine Secondary College’s Ocean Grove campus.
Batting first the Cobras made 9/212 from 75 overs as Des Every top scored with 62.
In reply Queenscliff were all out for 152 from 58.1 overs.
Dean Britt the star with the ball, he took 5/49 from 21 overs.
COBRA C2 bowler Clynt Combridge took 12 wickets for 46 runs in Collendina’s outright win over Jan Juc at Bellbrae Reserve.
Combridge, 46, ripped through the Sharks batting line-up in the first innings and finished with 7/8.
Jan Juc was all out for a paltry 30 batting first.
In reply Collendina made 6/149 from 40 overs.
In its second dig Jan Juc were all out for 79 from 24.4 overs with Combridge the pick of the bowlers with 5/38 from 13.4 overs.
The Cobras claimed the maximum 10 points and won by innings and 40 runs.
NEWCOMB defeated Collendina by 161 runs in their one-day clash at Erwin Reserve in D Grade.
Batting first the home side made 4/296 from its 40 overs.
In reply Collendina were all out for 135 from 33.1 overs.
