General News
7 January, 2019
Key Bulls duo step up
THE semi-finalists have been confirmed for South West Cricket’s Fonterra T20 Cup competition.
THE semi-finalists have been confirmed for South West Cricket’s Fonterra T20 Cup competition.
Seven matches were held across three venues during last Saturday’s final round, as Pomborneit retained its unblemished record, while Heytesbury Rebels leapfrogged Noorat to claim the last spot in the semis.
The Bulls opened their account with victory over Terang at the turf, but it did not come easy.
Batting first, Pomborneit posted 7/111, as both openers fell cheaply.
An unbeaten knock of 25 by Clinton Place led the way for his side, whilst four other batsmen reached double figures.
Sam Munro (3/17) was Terang’s main wicket taker, with his trio of scalps along with a run out in the field giving his side every chance of an upset.
However the home side ultimately fell nine runs short, 8/102 at the completion of 20 overs.
Opener Liam Geary made 30, while Munro backed up his earlier good work to finish unbeaten on 21.
Pomborneit’s next challenge was a top of the table clash with Bookaar.
Again the Bulls’ top order failed to fire, as both openers were dismissed without scoring.
The Sri Lankan combination of Tharaka Sendanayake (58) and Lahiru Fernando (54) proved to be the saviour, as the Bulls went on to post 7/154.
Fraser Lucas and Shaun Moloney both finished as the Pelicans’ leading wicket takers with identical figures of 2/32.
Bookaar was never really in the hunt despite six players reaching double figures, led by opener Tim Fitzgerald who contributed 30.
The Pelicans batted out their 20 overs, but ended the run chase well short of the target, posting 9/118.
Clinton Place (3/31) and Brad Hillman (2/16) led the way for the Bulls, while Sendanayake and Fernando both captured one wicket.
Bookaar bounced back in its second match, defeating Terang by 60 runs to secure second position on the T20 ladder.
An unbeaten knock of 89 from opener Eddie Lucas guided the Pelicans to 2/170, also receiving support from Fraser Lucas (34) and Simon Baker (30 not out).
Bookaar struck early with the ball as Terang slumped to 3/6 before a 56-run partnership by Hamish Bruckner and Tim Keane.
The middle-order resistance soon ended, as Bruckner and Keane were both dismissed in the same over by Eddie Lucas.
Sam Munro added a further 28 for Terang, but the hosts were all out for just 110.
Bookaar had four bowlers take a pair of wickets, with Shaun Moloney (2/4), Hamish Sinnott (2/8), Zach Sinnott (2/10) and Eddie Lucas (2/22) all playing their part.
Camperdown ended its T20 campaign without a victory, dropping its pair of final round fixtures against Heytesbury Rebels and Cobden at Timboon Recreation Reserve.
The Lakers managed 8/99 batting first against the Rebels, as Ryan Robbins top scored with 26.
Noah Ackerley was supreme with the ball, as he finished his four overs with the economincal figures of 2/4.
The Rebels had little drama in securing the points as they reached 3/110 in 15 overs, with William Fraser (26 not out) and Travis Brown (22) the main contributors.
Camperdown again batted first in their clash with Cobden, this time posting 6/108.
The Lakers were able to hang around at the crease, but were unable to post a competitive total.
Lucas Rais-Colvin (31) and Mitch McLaughlin (26) top scored for Camperdown.
Cobden eclipsed their target within 14 overs, reaching 3/113 led by Jackson Rock (32) and Jono Benallack (23 not out).
Heytesbury Rebels locked up its spot in the semi-final stage of the T20 competition with a 17-run win over Cobden.
Opener Hamish Huffadine made 70 and Jeff Rosolin remained unbeaten on 42 as the Rebels put together an innings of 5/175.
In reply, Cobden was 6/158 after 20 overs, led strongly by opener Lachlan Green (57), however the run rate required proved to be too much.
Both sides ended the contest with all individual wicket takers.
In the day’s sole match played at D.C. Farran Oval, Mortlake eliminated Noorat from finals contention with a dominant 10-wicket triumph.
The Steamrollers managed just 9/75 from its 20 overs, as the Cats’ bowlers proved economical, led by Todd Robertson (2/5).
Mortlake openers Tyler Schafer (41 not out) and Shane Slater (36 not out) guided the home side to victory in the 12th over.
After seven rounds of competition throughout December and early January and a total of 28 fixtures, the T20 premiership chase is down to four clubs.
Pomborneit enters the semis as the top seed, undefeated through its seven matches.
They will face Heytesbury Rebels on the Terang turf this Saturday for a spot in the decider.
The Rebels only clinched the last spot in the top four following a pair of victories over Camperdown and Cobden last weekend.
Bookaar is set to face defending champions Mortlake in the other semi.
The Pelicans and Cats both finished with five wins apiece, whilst it was Bookaar who held the upper hand when the pair clashed on December 8, winning by eight wickets at Camperdown Showgrounds.
Following the pair of semi-final fixtures this Saturday morning, the final will take place at Terang turf from 2pm that afternoon.
The winning club will not only be crowned South West Cricket’s T20 premiers, but also advance to the lucrative Sungold T20 Cup.
The tournament will feature champion clubs from eight associations commencing with the quarter final stage on January 20, followed by the semis and $10,000 winner take all final in Allansford on January 27.