Cricket
17 February, 2025
Donald Jeffcott flex their muscles
Donald Jeffcott flexed their muscles as finals near in the Wimmera Mallee Cricket Association with a dominant 145-run win over the Southern Mallee Giants at the Hopetoun Recreation Reserve in round 12 on Saturday.
After winning the toss and batting, Donald Jeffcott scored 3/239, led by Lachlan Jones unbeaten on 74, Daniel Atkins with 70 and Jett Adams on an unbeaten 46.
Luke Mitchell claimed all three wickets for the Giants and finished with figures of 3/23 (8).
In reply, the Giants never got any momentum and finished on 9/94. Jayson Kiem top scored with 20. Daniel Atkins 2/13 (8), Luca Rice 2/19 (8) and Cooper Anderson 2/22 (8) did the damage.
At Anzac Park, Marnoo sealed the second spot on the ladder with a 77-run win over St Marys.
After winning the toss and batting, Marnoo finished with 4/181, with Brylie Cameron top-scoring with an unbeaten 51. Nic Baird and Jack McAllister both scored 40. Nic Toscano and Brodie Dennes claimed two wickets each, finishing with 2/34 (8) and 2/13 (8) respectively.
Cooper Reading was on fire early, taking four of the first five wickets, and St Marys couldn't get any momentum as they were bowled out for 104 in the 25th over.
Leigh Somers scored 20 for St Marys, while Cooper Reading, 4/32, and David Lang, 4/8 (4.5) the best bowlers.
Birchip defeated St Arnaud by 90 runs at the Birchip Recreation Reserve in the final match of the round.
After losing the toss and being sent into bat, the Swans made 8/192. Rylee Smith led the way with 86 runs. Lachlan Patching 2/30 (8), Jacob Patching 2/32 (8) and Hayden Torney 2/37 (7) were the best bowlers for St Arnaud.
In reply, St Arnaud was bowled out for 102 in the 34th over, with Jayden McCartney leading the way with 24. Jonty Randall 2/9 (6), Lachy Randall 2/9 (6) and Kobe Hamilton 2/4 (1.1) were the best bowlers for the Swans.
With one round remaining, the top four spots are sealed, and Donald Jeffcott, Marnoo, Birchip, and St Marys are all making the finals.
In the B-grade competition, Donald Jeffcott defeated the Southern Mallee Giants by six wickets at Donald Recreation Reserve.
After winning the toss and bowling, the home side bowled the Giants out for 114 in the 40th over. Niluka Nanayakkara did the damage, taking 4/30 (8), with Brady Griffiths chipping in with 3/16 (8).
David Pulham top-scored for the Giants with 24.
Despite Dale Shannon and Clinton Castleman bowling well, Donald Jeffcott had no issues chasing the total down, scoring 4/118 in 23 overs. Anthony Tatchell and Thomas Reekie remained unbeaten on 44 and 29, respectively.
Dale Shannon 2/26 (8) and Clinton Castleman 2/36 (8) were the wicket-takers for the Giants.
At Watchem Cricket Ground, Watchem defeated St Marys by 70 runs in a high-scoring game.
After winning the toss and batting, Watchem scored 7/258, with Daniel Slater falling short of a century, scoring 98, and Connor Boyle chipping in with a handy 75.
Aiden Keys 2/9 (8) and Chad Hartnett 2/66 (8) were the pick of the bowlers for St Marys.
In reply, St Marys finished on 6/188, with Hugh Nixon scoring 46. Sean Smith, 43, and Gary Fernandez, 38, also contributed well with the bat alongside Aiden Keys with an unbeaten 23.
Daniel Tatarskyj 2/11 (4) and Connor Boyle 2/34 (8) were the pick of the bowlers for Watchem.
In the other match, Birchip forfeited to Charlton.
With one round to play, it's a tight battle between the Giants and St Marys for the last finals spot. The Giants have a slightly better percentage, which it will go down to as both are on equal wins, and the Giants play second-placed Charlton and St Marys, first-placed Donald Jeffcott.