Barwon Heads sent an ominous warning to its BPCA rivals with a stunning four wicket win over Ocean Grove at RT Fuller Oval on Saturday.
The loss was significant for the Grubbers, Ocean Grove fell from first to third on the A1 ladder with reigning A Grade premier Anglesea moving into top spot with a 31-run win over Barrabool.
Anglesea, second-placed Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove are all on 57 points with the top three ladder positions separated by percentage, while Jan Juc (43 points) sits in fourth spot.
“There is a few chinks in our armour and there is a few things we need to iron out,” Ocean Grove captain coach Paul Jubber said.
“We are not playing overly good cricket across the board – we are letting themselves down in certain parts of the game and it is costing us very dearly.”
The Grubbers, who escaped with a draw after Collendina gained the upper hand of its two-day clash on 9 February, last tasted victory on 26 January in their one-day game against the Cobras.
Seagull batsman Luke Michell was a star on day two against Ocean Grove, he scored 57 not out to guide his side to victory.
Chasing 226 for victory Barwon Heads won with 21 balls to spare after it finished at 6/227 from 71.3 overs.
“Luke’s innings was unreal – but so were the other partnerships throughout (the day),” Barwon Heads captain Sam Schaller said.
“Always a big game against Ocean Grove and we were keen to get one back on them from early in the year.”
Jubber who could not fault his bowlers, said losing 5/22 with the bat on 16 February was a key factor in the loss.
The Grubbers made 8/225 from 75 overs on the smallish surrounds at Barwon Heads.
“I thought when we lost 5 for 20 or so really cost us towards the end of the innings, 30 or 40 runs at the end of the innings would have been a big difference for us,” Jubber said.
“We had a fantastic start and we didn’t capitalise on that start and in the end it cost us – having a total of 225 instead of 250, 260 didn’t enable us to defend it.
“I think our bowlers were really good and I think they bowled to the plans we set and Luke Michell batted very well.”
Matt Caulfield (2/38) and Lindon Giuffrida (2/70) each took two wickets.
The defeat was compounded with a hamstring injury to Grubber assistant coach and batsman Anton Scholtz.
Scholtz, who retired hurt on 16 not out on day one, faces a race against time to be fit for the finals and will be sidelined for his side’s two-day round 14 clash against Portarlington starting this Saturday.
“He has done his hamstring pretty badly and that swayed the momentum of the game (on day one),” Jubber said.
“It is a big loss losing Anton – we will be hoping he’ll be right for finals.”
On day one, Sam Jubber top scored with 68, while opener Huon Bertino made 40, while Sam Schaller took 3/78 and Luke Schilling claimed 2/69 with the ball.
OCEAN Grove A1 faces a must win game against Portarlington in a two-day game starting at Ray Menzies Memorial Oval this Saturday to end the home and away season.
WINCHELSEA dismissed Ocean Grove A2 for only 87 from 61.3 overs on day two of their two-day clash to claim a 32-run win at Ray Menzies Memorial Oval on Saturday.
The Grubbers took the honours on day one after Winchelsea was all out for 119 and 0-17 at stumps.
At 0/40 the home side look destined for victory, though the visitors fought back and took 10/47 to win the game.
Winchelsea bowler Matthew Partridge was the chief destroyer and finished with 5/25 from 28 overs.
Winchelsea maintained second spot on the A2 ladder.
OCEAN Grove C1 almost pulled off an outright victory against Winchelsea.
Batting first Winchelsea was all out for 116 from 49.2 overs, in reply Ocean Grove declared at 4/189 from 36 overs before it sent the home side into bat again.
Grubber pair Darren Craig (63) and Troy Wiseman (77 not out) dominated with the bat.
Winchelsea avoided an outright defeat and ended play at 9/74 in its second dig.
Ocean Grove bowler Matt Bellingham claimed seven wickets for the match taking 4/38 from 13 overs in the second innings to go with 3/16 in the first dig.
DRYSDALE scored a six-wicket win over Ocean Grove in D Grade despite an unbeaten century from Nathan Madden.
Madden who retired on 108 not out, hit 13 boundaries and one six in the Grubbers’ total of 6/212 from 40 overs.
In reply, Drysdale won with more than four overs to spare to finish at 4/214 from 35.3 overs.
Hawk batsman Russell Potter retired on 105 not out.
IN other developments, Craig D’Arcy will celebrate his 500th game for Ocean Grove Cricket Club this Sunday 3 March.
The Grubbers will play against Wallington in the one-day game at Ray Menzies Memorial Oval, Shell Road, which begins at noon.
