Cricket
27 January, 2025
St Marys secure important win
St Marys has secured an important win, defeating the Southern Mallee Giants by four wickets in round nine of the Wimmera Mallee Cricket Association.
Sitting fourth on the ladder, equal with Birchip, St Marys had a chance to move to outright third if results went their way, and it did just that.
The Giants won the toss and elected to bat. They lost Leighten Hateley early for a duck, caught by Daniel Westerland off Brodie Dennes's bowling.
The Giants fought back, and when Flavel fell leg before by Nick Toscano, they were 2/31. Jobe Landrigan and Luke Mitchell then formed a solid partnership. Colby Schmidt broke that partnership, claiming both batsmen and the score was 4/69.
The Giants couldn't get momentum from there, eventually getting bowled out for 111 in the 38th over.
Luke Mitchell top-scored with 25. Colby Schmidt, 4/18 (8) was the pick of the bowlers for St Marys alongside Brodie Dennes who took 3/13 (7).
In reply, St Marys lost Daniel Westerland for a duck, caught and bowled by Jack Flavel, but Colby Schmidt and Bailey Watts built the innings, putting on a 39-run partnership before Schmidt was bowled by Flavel for 16.
Flavel then took the wicket of Watts three runs later, and St Mary's was suddenly 3/42.
Leigh Somers, Nathan Preist, and Brodie Dennes batted well and guided St Marys to the total in the 19th over, finishing at 6/112.
Somers hit 42 while. Dennes hit an unbeaten 14. Jack Flavel finished with 3/21 (5).
At the Birchip Recreation Reserve, Donald Jeffcott moved three games clear at the top of the ladder following a two-wicket win over Birchip.
After winning the toss and batting, Birchip were bowled out for 125 in the 38th over. Bodhi Robinson top-scored with 39, with Rylee Smith 24 and William Marks 22 also contributing well.
Jett Adams was the pick of the Donald Jeffcott bowlers with 5/37 (8).
In reply, Donald Jeffcott found it challenging but reached the total in the 35th over, finishing at 8/126.
Cooper Anderson top-scored for the visitors with 45, with Daniel Atkins 25 also playing a vital hand.
For Birchip, Riley Doran 3/14 (8) and Connor Lee 3/38 (8) were outstanding.
At King Georges Park, Marnoo defeated St Arnaud by five wickets. Marnoo won the toss, sent St Arnaud into a bowl, and put on a 59-run opening stand until Bradley Williams was caught and bowled by David Lang for 12.
The wickets fell from there, and despite some good batting from Jayden McCartney (15) and Jacob Patching (12), the home side couldn't gain momentum and was eventually bowled out for 133 after 33 overs.
David Lang was outstanding with the ball, claiming 4/15 (7), while Dylan Shelley also finished with figures of 3/26 (7).
In reply, Marnoo had no trouble chasing the total down, winning the match in the 32nd over, finishing with 5/135. Jimmy Duxson, 48, and Nic Baird, with an unbeaten 39, were the top batsmen for Marnoo.
Jacob Patching, 2/33 (8), and Carl Torney, 2/33 (8), were St. Arnaud's top bowlers.
In B-grade, Watchem defeated ladder-leaders Charlton by three wickets at Charlton Park.
Charlton won the toss and elected to bat, and were bowled out for 89 with Elliott Fitzpatrick top-scoring with 31.
Ty Colbert produced a blistering spell of 5/14 (6) for Watchem.
In reply, Watchem finished at 7/98, with Daniel Slater top-scoring with 33.
Patrick Soulsby 3/14 (4) was the pick of the bowlers for Charlton, while Fitzpatrick backed up his excellent batting with good bowling, finishing with 2/13 (4).
St Marys claimed a 32-run win over the Southern Mallee Giants at Anzac Park. After losing the toss and being sent into bat, St Marys was bowled out for 141 in the 37th with Kael Zanker 32 and Aiden Keys 27, the stars with the bat.
Dale Shannon was excellent with the ball for the Giants, finishing with 4/12 (8).
In reply, the Giants battled hard. Despite some good starts from Daven Pulham, 32, and Clinton Castleman, 29, they couldn't build momentum and were bowled out for 109 in the 28th over.
Aiden Keys 3/39 (8) and Hugh Nixon 3/19 (7) did the damage with the ball for St Marys.
Read More: Birchip, Beulah, Warracknabeal