GCA1 Round 6 wrap: Four players hit tons as quick tears through St Joseph’s

There was plenty of runs for the batters in GCA first grade, with four reaching triple figures. Plus, Grovedale is on its way to a win thanks to the return of a star.

Billy Ford was among those to hit three figures in round six. Picture: Wes Cusworth

There was plenty of runs for the batters on day one of round six.

See Wes Cusworth’s full wrap here.

South Barwon v Highton 6-371

Twin maiden first XI centuries from Zac Wills and Brady Somers headlined Highton’s dominance of South Barwon, with the Heat striking an imposing 6-371 at Reynolds Oval.

The pair controlled the top of the innings superbly, combining for a brilliant 191-run opening stand before Somers departed for a 151-ball 103 laced with 13 boundaries and a six.

“His elevation up the order has helped his batting tremendously,” Wills said of his opening partner.

“It’s truly assisted his craft, his focus on the game, it’s first class.”

Meanwhile, Wills credits his recent English summer experience, alongside Greg Willows at Sileby Town in Leicestershire, with elevating his own game to the next level.

Wills breakout innings featured 12 fours and four sixes as he hammered 126 from his 204-ball stay.

Zac Willis was a class above for Highton. Picture: Wes Cusworth

“It was what was needed, batting over there was just freedom,” Wills said of his antipodean trip to England’s midlands.

“I wasn’t worried about what happened it’s helped my game massively.

“I’ve tried to change my mindset, just focusing on the next ball that’s coming and not worrying about what happened with the last one.”

Albeit overshadowed by his teammates’ exploits, Englishman Greg Willows struck an enterprising 49, while Lewy Campbell sought to cash in on the Swans’ fatigue with a blistering 35-ball unbeaten 51 that featured three mighty sixes.

“It’s all about self-belief now, and we’ve grown into that,” Wills said of Highton’s emergence as a legitimate force in GCA1.

“It comes with age, we now believe in ourselves; believe that we can perform with the best week in, week out.

“We’ve had this core group together now for three or four years and we’re all starting to build into big game players who all believe in one another and support one another.”

Bryson Nicholls (2-82) and Sydney Ray (2-124) led the wicket-takers, although Wills credited paceman Sam Ellis as the Swans’ standout.

“He was the most challenging, he’s always asking questions,” he said.

“He bowled a spell of maybe 15, 16 overs and he was tough to get away, bowling in those good areas.”

North Geelong 6 (declared) 316 v Newtown and Chilwell 0-37

Ned Cooper embraced the acting captaincy role at Osborne Park striking a composed 147 to underpin North Geelong’s impressive 6-316 against Newtown and Chilwell.

Taking the reins from regular skipper Tom Mathieson, the elegant opener struck 13 boundaries and a six in his 211-ball innings, as fellow left-handers Sam Hall (54) and Layton McCann (56) provided aggressive support in building the commanding tally.

“I think we’ve got a good balance; obviously, everyone knows what Sam can do, so I just try to do my thing and provide that little balance in that top four or five,” Cooper said.

“I try to spend as much time as possible out there and let everyone else play their attacking style, particularly those guys who go at a run-a-ball.

“It was good to win a toss and get in there and post a score over 300 and then have a chance at bowling at them.”

Ned Cooper hit a commanding century for North Geelong. Picture: Wes Cusworth

While Cooper and Hall combined for a 118-run opening stand – followed by the McCann-Cooper union of 120 for the third wicket – the stand-in skipper conceded that Two Blues spinner Lachie Sperling was a constant threat.

“He bowled really well for long periods, changing his pace and length,” Cooper said.

“It was a good tussle all day, as he got on top of me at times, while I got on top of him at times.”

Sperling was the visitors’ sole multiple wicket-taker with his 27 overs yielding 3-101, including both openers.

“They’re a good unit because the players they’ve brought in are very handy,” Cooper said.

“We’re just looking to make the most of the two-day stuff; you’ve got the draws, which can be zero points, so we just want to play our way, post a good score and look to win the game.

“If they bat really well next week and get it, that’s good on them; but we’ll back ourselves in and have a crack at winning the game.”

The Two Blues reached 0-37 from 10 overs in the shadows of stumps.

St Peter’s 5-258 v East Belmont

A second consecutive century from the hard-hitting Billy Ford provided the backbone to St Peter’s impressive 5-258 against East Belmont at Walker Oval.

The middle Ford brother plundered 13 fours and two sixes in his 184-ball contribution of 110, partnering with Matthew Sorgiovanni (83) in a third wicket union that added 160 to the home team’s tally. Some late aggression from Hamish McCallum (27 not out) and Mitch Ford (22 not out) added 50 for an unfinished sixth wicket stand. Lions’ off-spinner James McMahon toiled for 23 overs to be the sole multiple-wicket taker with 2-58.

Sam Coutts tore through St Joseph’s. Picture: Wes Cusworth

St Joseph’s 141 v Grovedale 1-34

The return of new-ball ace Sam Coutts has spearheaded Grovedale’s impressive performance against St Joseph’s leaving the Tigers needing just 108 runs for victory with nine wickets in hand.

Playing his first game of the season, Coutts ran through the top of the Joeys’ order to claim 5-45 before seamer Jack Wrigglesworth (3-18) and off-spinner Rohan Smith (2-34) finished the Zampatti Oval hosts off for 141.

Opener Andrew Casey repelled the Tigers for 132 balls for a team-high 54, while newcomer Ollie King played some flourishing strokes in his 26. The visitors lost Kane Pozman (6) before reaching 1-34 from 18 overs at stumps.

Originally published as GCA1 Round 6 wrap: Four players hit tons as quick tears through St Joseph’s