A MICK-BOTT led revival helped 2016/17 Northern District Cricket Association A Grade grand finalists, Wandella to move one week closer to a top-three finish and hindered Nondies’ chances of climbing up the ladder.
Bott remained unbeaten on 137 as the Bombers recorded a 52-run win during a round that saw batsmen dominate proceedings.
Electing to bat first, the Bombers were reeling at 1/2 when Bott joined Isaac Hogan at the crease.
The pair put together a 140-run second-wicket stand before Hogan was dismissed for 61.
Bott then worked with Michael Runciman (33) to help the hosts post 4/244 from their 45 overs, with Charlie O’Shea the only Nondies bowlers to claim multiple wickets.
Nondies did its best to try and claim a sixth win of the season, but three wickets to Rohan Oliver helped restrict the visitors to 9/192 off their 45 overs.
The result leaves Nondies nine points behind third-placed Cohuna United, with the Cohuna Recreation Reserve tenants needing to defeat Leitchville/Gunbower and United in its final two matches before the round 18 bye to, at best, host the first semi-final on March 3.
In the weekend’s other A Grade match, Leitchville/Gunbower’s middle order helped the defending premiers secure a sixth win of the season to remain on top of the ladder with three rounds remaining.
Sent in to bat first against Barham/Koondrook, Oliver O’Shea (71), Kurt Brereton (69) and Jack Lunghusen (59 not out) led the way as Leitchville/Gunbower scored 4/238 off its 45 overs.
O’Shea and Brereton’s 119-run second-wicket stand gave the defending premiers’ batsmen a strong platform to post an imposing total, with Lunghusen’s late-innings hitting pushing the total close to 250 runs.
Garry Lolicato took two wickets for the hosts, but the border side struggled in its reply, scoring 9/124 in reply.
Laine Gibbons (29) and Jaryd Wishart (23) were two of five Barham/Koondrook batsmen to reach double figures, with James Keath taking two wickets for the visitors.
Minor title on track
NONDIES is one victory away from securing the Northern District Cricket Association B Grade minor premiership and the right to host the second semi-final on March 3 after results went the Cohuna Recreation Reserve tenant’s way at the weekend.
Last season’s grand finalists produced an 85-run win against Cohuna United to remain undefeated after 15 rounds of the season.
Sent in to bat first, opening batsmen Blake Cooke (83) and Andrew Rigg (37) gave Nondies a strong platform to build a competitive total on, with the pair putting together a 107-run partnership.
However, four wickets to Zeb Ellwood helped United remain in contention, with Nondies dismissed for 193 in the 40th over.
United struggled in its reply, with a 51-run second-wicket stand between Michael Rowe (38) and Oscar Cooke (15) the highlight as the visitors fell for 106 in the 29th over.
All of Nondies’ six bowlers took at least one wicket, with Liam Pascoe’s three-wicket haul the standout.
Nondies’ minor title hopes were boosted after Leitchville/Gunbower defeated defending premiers, Wandella by one wicket.
Electing to bat first, the Bombers struggled against the hosts’ bowling, with Neil Lehmann (37) top-scoring in the team’s total of 113.
Michael Moritz took four wickets for the competition’s southernmost side, but the hosts also struggled with the bat.
Jason Keath (75 not out) stood out in Leitchville/Gunbower’s reply, with the side reaching the winning target in the final over to finish at 9/115.
Lehmann and Nathan Henry took two wickets each for the Bombers, who are three points ahead of Leitchville/Gunbower in the battle for a second semi-final spot.
In the weekend’s other match, a five-wicket haul from Declan Hogg set up Wandella Warriors’ two-wicket win against Kerang Fairley Town.
Hogg was the pick of the bowlers as Kerang Fairley Town fell for 88 in the 21st over, before Jason Williams (35) and Paul Grayling (50) secured the Warriors’ third win of the season.
Opening the batting, Williams guided the Warriors to within 16 runs of victory before falling with the score at 6/72, bringing Grayling to the crease.
The Warriors lost two more wickets for six runs before Grayling and William Hogg steadied the innings, secured the win and helped the team post 149 from 30.4 overs.
