Critical clashes for Sharks’ ladder hopes

A Grade

After a two-hour trip from Leongatha fighting against tourist traffic, the Imperials arrived at Cowes to take on the A grade boys in what was a crucial clash in regards to ladder position.
After winning the toss the Sharks decided to bat first and got off to a solid start after 9 wides were bowled in the first over.
When one finally hit the pitch it found the edge of opening batsmen Steve McIntyre and he was caught behind for 2.
Eli Richards came to the crease and along with other opener Brodie Johnston the two went about forging a fine partnership that saw the Sharks through to the 26th over with the score at 2 for 117 when Richards was dismissed for 58.
Johnston was dismissed soon after for a well-made 42 and some power hitting in the final ten overs from Jarrod Black (19) and Greg Selby (23) saw the Sharks to their highest total of the year at 184.
After the break the Imperials openers came out swinging, chancing their arm and were able to find the fence on a few occasions until a screaming catch from Eli Richards in third slip saw the Sharks get a breakthrough.
The Imperials kept throwing the bat and were scoring at a good rate but the Sharks were able to take wickets at regular intervals and the game was well balanced at the drinks break with the score at 4 for 84.
Clint Wilson bowled his eight overs straight and was fantastic as always, finishing with 3 for 31 off his eight overs. When he took the third of his wickets, the score sat at 6 for 115 with the Sharks in the box seat.
However the Imperials fought hard and got themselves right back in the game with some good lower order hitting and the Sharks definately took their foot off the throat as the game drew to another close finish.
With the Imperials needing 14 runs off the last two overs the Sharks were unable to hold onto a few chances and the Imperials went on the pass the score of 185 eight wickets down in the last over of the day.
The Sharks will have to bounce back quickly to keep a finals spot safe and face Leongatha Town next week in a big game. Go Sharks.

C2

160 run partnership gets C2a great win!
With the return of cricket for the Island, C2 found ourselves on the road to Outrim, in a paddock at the foothills of the Strzeleckis.
We welcomed back Darcy Johnston, Darcy Excell and Marcus Lieberman, who has hung up the golf clubs for a cricket bat!
Well, for one week for now.
We lost the toss and were asked to bowl by those great guys of OMK.
We opened with both Darcys and although not picking up wickets they at times had the batsman in all sorts of trouble.
A change at one end when Johno Senior took over from Junior and we had our first wicket when Lieberman took a brilliant catch at first slip.
The second came not long after when Peter Francis suggested to his Captain a fielding change. It was rejected and he was told to stay in his position … the very next ball a catch came his way.
Peter claims it confused the batsman and forced an error! Stick to bowling Pete!
We went to drinks 2 for 78 but things got away from us after that.
The opposition played smart and although lucky at times they managed to get to a healthy 190.
A tough chase but if we think we are a top side then there are the challenges we have to get good at.
Manning and Muscat opened but neither hung around, same as Kenter and we found ourselves in a lot of trouble at 3-17.
Gav Excell and Darcy Johnston went to work.
Gav hitting hard and long and Darcy rotating the strike and a magnificent 160 run partnership, as good as any seen at this level, nearly got their team home.
Unfortunately, Gav was tired and holed out for a fantastic 73.
Franga came in and they passed the total with three overs to spare.
Darcy, not known for his batting skills played a great innings and was unbeaten on 68.
We certainly can improve our game but it was a terrific win.
Thanks Marcus for helping out. He bowled 4 overs for 17 and was unlucky not to pick up a wicket. He took a great catch and attempted to take three others.
Hopefully we can get him to play again and get to see his batting skills.
Johno Senior 2-24 and Franga 2-34.
A very good win but there is a lot of improvement to be had!

Under 16s

This week saw the Under 16's return home to play ladder leaders Inverloch at Cowes.
Full of confidence and down two of their best batsmen for the first week, Inverloch won the toss and sent Phillip Island in to bat.
Openers Kohen Beaumont and Henry Peppard made a solid start, seeing off some well-paced, controlled bowling.
Despite this however, the batsmen were able to dictate the flow of the game, using the pace of the ball to manipulate the field, finding gaps and keeping the score moving.
It wasn't until the 16th over however, that a well thought out bowling change brought about the downfall of Kohen Beaumont.
Bowling with accuracy and without pace on the ball, Kohen was lured into a big shot.
Advancing down the wicket, the ball found the edge of a hard swung bat and lofted to gully, where Kohen was caught out for a well-made 34.
This saw a dramatic shift in play, as the slow bowling continued, drying up the runs to a trickle.
From 1 for 70 after 17 overs, the Sharks could only manage 19 runs from the proceeding 13 overs, proving once again that taking pace off the ball in any situation, can be a successful stopping strategy.
A break in the game came however, when big Zac Walker strode to the wicket.
Playing without fear and keeping a simple strategy, Zac was able to hit boundaries, rotate the strike and get the scoreboard moving again.
Assisted with cameos from William Peppard, Tim Niven and Heath Womersley, the Sharks were able to cobble together a respectable total of 6 for 135 after their 40 overs.
A good start with the ball will tell the story of the game next week.
Fingers crossed and good luck lads.