Sport
28 February, 2024
Somers has day out
St Marys Leigh Somers played the game of his life at Marnoo Recreation Reserve on Saturday. The allrounder hit an unbeaten 99 off 60 balls which included seven fours and seven sixes and then took 2/42 off eight overs in their six-wicket loss.
St Marys posted their second-highest score of the year against one of the top teams in the competition, posting 194, to conclude their positive season back in A-Grade. Daniel Westerland hit 32 in the loss whilst Nicholas Germano picked up 2/41.
St Marys captain Colby Schmidt said it was the best innings they have seen at the club for a while.
"It was probably better than Nick Germano's century earlier in the season," Schmidt said.
"Everyone we have spoken to said it was one of the best they have seen as well. It was a great display of batting.
"He would be disappointed he didn't get to the century as he has been dismissed a few times in the nineties but it was still a great innings."
Schmidt also said it was the best game collectively as a team for the year.
"Against good opposition, to put a score like that up is definitely the best we have played this season," Schmidt said.
"We could have had a game where we got bowled out for 60 but we scored well and we will take a lot of confidence into next year.
"It was nice to get the points."
Speaking of next season, Schmidt said to end the season with that score sets the club up.
"This year there have been a few ups and downs," Schmidt said.
"We have plenty of numbers and plenty of supporters.
"We know we can score well and next year we will look to win more games and push for the fifth or sixth spot. There is a foundation there to work from."
At Donald Recreation Reserve, Donald Jeffcott defeated Birchip by 56 runs. After winning the toss and batting, Noah Berry hit 40 with Daniel Atkins scoring an unbeaten 66 in their total of 7/192. Ty Colbert led the way for Birchip in the chase with 43 as they finished at 9/136.
At King Georges Park, a four-wicket haul to Kynan Torney helped lead St Arnaud to an eight-wicket win over Wycheproof Narraport.
Losing the toss and bowling, Torney took 4/14 with Jacob Patching chipping in with 3/23 to bowl Wycheproof/Narraport out for 85.
In reply, St Arnaud chased the total down in the 18th over, finishing 2/87.
The results mean Donald Jeffcott host Birchip and BrimKSH host Marnoo in the first week of the finals.
In B Grade, St Marys lost by 75 runs to Charlton at Anzac Park. After losing the toss and bowling, they had Charlton in trouble early at 3/12 but Hugh Sait, 67, and Patrick Sait, 61 rebuilt the innings to post 6/174.
Matthew Rhook, 2/20 and Gary Fernandez, 2/35, were the pick of the bowlers for St Marys.
In reply, St Marys were bowled out for 99 with Callum Zanker remaining unbeaten on 40 with Kael Zanker the other player to score double figures with 26. Patrick Soulsby, 3/8, was the best bowler for Charlton.
Brim finished their season off with a comfortable eight-wicket win at Brim Recreation Reserve. After winning the toss and bowling they bowled Watchem out for 78 with Leigh Dovaston taking an impressing 3/2.
They chased the total down in the 22nd over, scoring 2/80 with Trent Allen unbeaten on 31.
At Birchip Recreation Reserve, Jake Needs, 4/10 and 19* was the standout for Donald Jeffcott as they defeated Birchip by seven wickets.
Birchip was bowled out for 70 and in reply, Donald Jeffcott chased the total down in the 19th over finishing at 3/71. Glenn Pearse remained unbeaten on 22 with Needs.
In the semifinals next week Charlton plays Southern Mallee Giants whilst Donald Jeffcott face off against Birchip.