Shaun Fankhauser and Nathan Taylor put on 174 for Ocean Grove’s opening wicket and have their side in a commanding position against St Leonards in Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association A1 Grade.
Fankhauser hit nine boundaries and three sixes during his superb 109 from 174 deliveries while Taylor was more subdued, but no less important, with 58 from 193.
Ocean Grove finished with 9-271 from 75 overs at Memorial Reserve and would be confident of victory given the Saints haven’t passed triple fugures since the opening round of the season.
Mick Thornton made a quick 29 from 27 while Bailey Le Maistre contributed a rapid 30 from 16 late in the innings.
St Leonards seamer Kanishka Nawagamuwa was magnificent, taking 6-43 from 16 overs. If it wasn’t for his efforts, Ocean Grove would have made 300-plus.
Spinner Shanaka Kethbevilage took two wickets for the Saints while seamer James Burns tried hard and picked up one wicket.
In B1 Grade, Ocean Grove will defend 260 against Barwon Heads next week.
Adam Arnold top scored with 79 from 190 balls, veteran Adam Spiby made an unbeaten 54, Isaac Saunders contribted 37 and Oliver Corby made 34 not out from 31.
James Ponsford looked the most likely of the Heads’ bowlers with 2-28 from 13 overs.
In B2 Grade, Ocean Grove fell for just 68 against Collendina, which has already wiped 16 off the chase with all 10 wickets intact.
Ben Hanson made a superb century in D Grade.
Ocean Grove made 4-182 from 40 overs against Portarlington with Hanson making 100 retired from 119 deliveries and Andrew Schoch 32 from just 20.
Port chased the total down with Jon McLaren (65) and Steve Dowie (42) among the runs.
