With the season slowly slipping away, the equation was simple for Wallington going into its round 6 Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association A2 grade clash against Collendina.
The Wallabies simply had to win or risk being left behind even at this relatively early stage of the season.
After a big round 1 win, Wallington’s form started to decline with a string of inconsistent performances before improving with rain-ruined, but strong showings, against Ocean Grove and Newcomb.
And Wallabies rebounded with a 97-run win against the Cobras on Saturday, resurrecting their finals hopes in the process.
Coach Matthew Sampson-Barnes said it took a while for the club’s new players to settle in and a bad hamstring injury to start opener Henry McIntosh and the unavailability of gun bat Sven Burluraux didn’t help.
“It hadn’t quite clicked in the first part of the season,” he said.
“We lost a couple of key players through injury, so it was nice to get back on track. We’ve been winning a few T20s as well so that’s been helpful.
“Henry tore his hamstring pretty bad round two and Sven is in Perth and he misses a fair bit of the season through work.
“We got two overseas players who are like 18, which I think their age makes a big difference so they’re still figuring it out. Not just cricket, but being away from home at 18-years-old is pretty tough.”
Wallington posted 226 all out on day one against the Cobras with Richard Faust (60), Billy Gravett (51) and Dane Wise-Graham (31) getting runs although it took a 34-run last-wicket stand between Mitchell Sleeman (25 not out) and Colin Smith (17) to eventually get there.
In reply, Collendina went from 2/67 to 129 all out with Wise-Graham capping off yet another fine all-round performance with 6/32 from 21 overs.
“We haven’t really needed to bowl him as much this year with having so many options,” Sampson-Barnes said.
“But him and Mitch (Sleeman) bowling together, I think we had 55 overs done at break. So they sort of worked together, but he (Wise-Graham) did really well.”
Sampson-Barnes has battled a rare and serious bacterial infection for several years requiring 43 surgeries and more than 100 days in hospital.
Things look to be getting better for the star left-hand batter and he is back playing mainly for his onfield leadership, although in a reduced capacity.
“It was more to get on the ground as captain,” he said.
“I’m probably 90 percent healed. I’m going to try and go back to work in a few weeks – just try and do a few days before Christmas because I’m on the tools and I haven’t been able to work properly.
“But I’ve been training the last couple of weeks. It’s getting better every time I bat, but I can’t actually swing my bat properly yet.
“I’ll probably bat at 10 or 11 until Christmas. And then I reckon see where we’re at and try and give it a stab after Christmas.”
PORTARLINGTON resumed at 3/175 with a 68-run lead against Newcomb and Joel De Bono needing 13 runs for a century. He would depart for 94 with the Demons declaring on 4/235 in pursuit of outright points. It looked like it would happen at one stage when the Bulls were 9/98 although Jarrod Price (39 from 11 deliveries) had dug in. Sean Anderton counterpunched with 32 not out from 30 and No 11 Jack Scanlon survived and so did Newcomb, getting to 9/130 at stumps.
OCEAN Grove thrashed Winchelsea after making 8/264 last week and bowling out the Blues for 107. All six bowlers used took at least one wicket and not more than two with leg-spinner Alex Mann the pick with 2/18 from 10 overs. The Grubbers are on top of the ladder while Winch still sits in second place.
SEAMER James Burns again rose to the occasion for St Leonards with a haul of 5/33 from 16 overs against Surf Coast. Needing 300 for victory, Surf Coast was all out for 157 with Vic Rathore (38) top scoring and young Saints seam bowler Oscar Cutajar grabbing 2/21.
